National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study Summer 2012

Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/EQD/NRR—2013/638

ON THE COVER Lincoln Memorial Visitor Center at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial designed by Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. Photograph courtesy of Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study Summer 2012

Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/EQD/NRR—2013/638

Marc F. Manni, Steve Illum, Lena Le, Steven J. Hollenhorst

Visitor Services Project Park Studies Unit College of Natural Resources University of Idaho 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1139 Moscow, ID 83844-1139

March 2013

U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public.

The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate high-priority, current natural resource management information with managerial application. The series targets a general, diverse audience, and may contain NPS policy considerations or address sensitive issues of management applicability.

All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner.

Data in this report were collected and analyzed using methods based on established, peer- reviewed protocols and were analyzed and interpreted within the guidelines of the protocols.

Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S. Government.

This report is available from the Social Science Division (http://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/index.cfm) and the Natural Resource Publications Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/nrpm/).

This report and other reports by the Visitor Services Project (VSP) are available from the VSP website (http://www.psu.uidaho.edu/c5/vsp/vsp-reports/) or by contacting the VSP office at (208) 885-2585.

Please cite this publication as:

Manni, M. F., S. Illum, Y. Le, and S. J. Hollenhorst. 2013. Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial visitor study: Summer 2012. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/EQD/NRR—2013/638. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

NPS 422/120000, March 2013

ii

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Contents Page Executive Summary ...... v Acknowledgements ...... viii About the Authors ...... viii Introduction ...... 1 Organization of the Report ...... 1 Presentation of the Results...... 2 Methods...... 3 Survey Design and Procedures ...... 3 Sample size and sampling plan ...... 3 Questionnaire design ...... 3 Survey procedure ...... 4 Data analysis ...... 4 Limitations ...... 5 Special conditions ...... 5 Checking non-response bias ...... 6 Results ...... 7 Group and Visitor Characteristics ...... 7 Visitor group size ...... 7 Visitor group type ...... 7 Visitors with organized groups ...... 8 United States visitors by state of residence...... 10 Visitors from Indiana and adjacent states by county of residence ...... 11 Resident of the area ...... 11 International visitors by country of residence ...... 12 Number of visits to park in past 12 months ...... 13 Number of visits to park in lifetime ...... 13 Visitor age ...... 14 Respondent level of education ...... 14 Respondent household income ...... 15 Respondent household size ...... 15 Awareness of park management ...... 16 Awareness of other nationally significant sites ...... 16 Visited or planned to visit other nationally significant sites ...... 17 Trip/Visit Characteristics and Preferences ...... 18 Information sources prior to visit ...... 18 Information sources for future visit ...... 19 Park as destination ...... 20 Primary destination ...... 20 Importance of factors influencing decision to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM ...... 22 Lincoln Boyhood NMEM as primary reason for visiting the area ...... 22 Alternative plans to visiting Lincoln Boyhood NMEM ...... 23 Difficulty locating the park ...... 24 Forms of transportation ...... 25

iii Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Contents (continued) Page Number of vehicles ...... 25 Number of park entries ...... 26 Overnight stays ...... 26 Accommodations used outside the park ...... 27 Length of stay in the park ...... 28 Local attractions visited ...... 31 Places visited in the park...... 33 Activities on this visit ...... 34 Activity that was primary reason for visit...... 35 Activities on future visits ...... 36 Ranger-led programs/talks ...... 37 Ratings of Services, Facilities, Attributes, Resources, and Elements ...... 39 Visitor services and facilities used ...... 39 Importance ratings of visitor services and facilities ...... 40 Quality ratings of visitor services and facilities ...... 42 Mean scores of importance and quality ratings of visitor services and facilities ...... 44 Interaction with park rangers ...... 45 Expenditures ...... 46 Total expenditures inside and outside the park ...... 46 Number of adults covered by expenditures ...... 47 Number of children covered by expenditures ...... 47 Expenditures inside the park ...... 48 Expenditures outside the park ...... 50 Method of paying entrance fee ...... 56 Income forgone to make this trip ...... 57 Preferences for Future Visits ...... 58 Ranger-led programs on a future visit ...... 58 Preferred length of ranger-led programs ...... 58 Preferred time of day to attend ranger-led programs/talks ...... 59 Preferred topics to learn through interpretive programs on future visit ...... 60 Preferred methods to learn about the park ...... 61 Items available for purchase at the visitor center bookstore on a future visit ...... 62 Overall Quality ...... 63 Visitor Comment Summaries ...... 64 What visitors liked most ...... 64 What visitors liked least ...... 66 Additional comments ...... 67 Visitor Comments ...... 68 Appendix 1: The Questionnaire ...... 81 Appendix 2: Additional Analysis...... 83 Appendix 3: Decision Rules for Checking Non-response Bias ...... 85 References ...... 86

iv Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Executive Summary

This visitor study report profiles a systematic random sample of Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial (NMEM) visitors during June 19-25, 2012. A total of 398 questionnaires were distributed to visitor groups. Of those, 254 questionnaires were returned, resulting in a 63.8% response rate.

Group size and type Thirty percent of visitor groups consisted of two people and 23% consisted of four people. Seventy-seven percent of visitor groups consisted of family groups.

State or country of United States visitors were from 30 states and comprised 99.6% of total residence visitation during the survey period, with 46% from Indiana. Twenty-two percent of visitor groups were residents of the area (within 60 miles of the park). International visitors were from two countries and comprised less than 1% of total visitation during the survey period.

Frequency of visits Most visitors (87%) visited the park once in the past 12 months and for 65%, this was their first visit.

Age, educational Thirty-six percent of visitors were ages 31-60 years, 35% were ages 15 level, and income years or younger, and 22% were 61 years or older. Thirty-one percent of level respondents had completed a bachelor’s degree and 28% had a graduate degree. Fifty-three percent of respondents had an income level between $50,000 and $149,999.

Awareness of park Thirty-nine percent of visitor groups were aware of the two Lincoln parks in management and Lincoln City. Ninety-one percent of visitor groups were aware of the Lincoln other nationally Memorial, Washington, DC and 65% had visited it in the past. Seventy-six significant sites percent of visitor groups were aware of the Lincoln Home NHS, Springfield, IL and 42% had visited it in the past.

Information sources Most visitor groups (72%) obtained information about the park prior to their visit. Information was most often obtained through previous visits (36%), friends/relatives/word of mouth (34%), maps/brochures (29%), and the park website (24%). To obtain information for a future visit, visitor groups most often preferred to use the park website (55%), previous visits (36%) and maps/brochures (32%).

Park as destination During the on-site interview, 58% of visitor groups said the park was their primary destination, and 38% indicated the park was one of several destinations.

Primary reason for Twenty-five percent of visitor groups indicated that visiting Lincoln Boyhood visiting the area NMEM was the primary reason nonresident members visited the area.

Importance of factors The highest combined proportions of “extremely important” and “very influencing decision important” ratings of factors influencing visitor groups’ decision to visit the to visit the park park included that it was a Lincoln related site (72%), a national park site (55%), and something else to do while in the area (43%).

Alternative plans to Most visitor groups (81%) would have visited the park at another time if they visiting the park had been unable to visit it on this trip. Of those visitor groups unlikely to have visited the park at another time, 55% weren’t sure what they would have done on this trip and 36% would have gone somewhere else.

v Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Executive Summary (continued)

Transportation Sixty percent of nonresident visitor groups used a car to travel most of the distance from their home to the park area (within 60 miles of the park), while 32% used a SUV/truck/van. Eighty-seven percent of nonresident visitor groups used one vehicle to arrive at the park, while 10% used two vehicles.

Number of park Eighty-eight percent of visitor groups entered the park once, while 9% entries entered twice.

Overnight stays Fifty-nine percent of visitor groups stayed overnight in the area within 60 miles of the park, of which 38% stayed three or more nights, 32% stayed one night, and 31% stayed two nights. Fifty-one percent of visitor groups stayed in lodges, hotels, motels, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, etc., while 25% were RV/trailer camping.

Length of stay at the Forty percent of visitor groups spent 46 or more minutes at the visitor center, visitor center and while 22% spent 16-30 minutes. The average length of stay at the visitor Living Historical center was 48 minutes. Thirty-five percent of visitor groups spent 46-60 Farm minutes at the Living Historical Farm, while 22% spent 16-30 minutes. The average length of stay at the Living Historical Farm was 58 minutes.

Length of stay at the Fifty-nine percent of visitor groups spent 1-2 hours at the park, while 36% park spent up to 1 hour. Six percent of visitor groups visited the park on more than one day. The average length of stay at the park was 1.8 hours.

Local attractions Seventy-four percent of visitor groups visited other local attractions on this visited visit. Of those visitor groups that visited other local attractions, 40% visited Lincoln State Park, 39% visited Holiday World/Splashin’ Safari, and 28% visited Lincoln Pioneer Village.

Places visited in the The most common places visited in the park were Living Historical Farm park (80%), Memorial Visitor Center (78%), and Cabin Site Memorial (75%). Sixty- five percent of visitor groups visited the Memorial Visitor Center area first.

Activities on this visit The most common activities were visiting the Living Historical Farm (82%), visiting the visitor center (77%), viewing exhibits (74%), and learning history (71%). Most common activities that were the primary reason for visiting the park were learning history (32%) and visiting the Living Historical Farm (28%). Four percent of visitor groups participated in ranger-led programs/talks.

Activities on a future The most common activities in which to participate on a future visit were visit visiting the Living Historical Farm (76%) and attending pioneer demonstrations at the Living Historical Farm (68%).

Visitor services and The visitor services and facilities most commonly used by visitor groups were facilities parking (86%), visitor center (76%), and restrooms (76%).

Interaction with park Forty-five percent of visitor groups had a personal interaction with a park rangers (other than ranger. The interaction receiving the highest combined proportions of “very on the tour) good” and “good” ratings was courteousness (100%).

Expenditures The average visitor group expenditure (inside and outside the park within 60 miles) was $268. The median group expenditure (50% of groups spent more and 50% of groups spent less) was $100, and the average total expenditure per person (per capita) was $81. vi Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Executive Summary (continued)

Entrance fee Fifty-two percent of visitor groups used cash or check to pay the entrance fee, while 21% used an Interagency Pass/Senior Pass/Access.

Ranger-led programs Sixty-eight percent of visitor groups were interested in attending ranger-led on a future visit programs on a future visit to the park. Fifty-two percent of visitor groups preferred a program length of 1/2-1 hour, while 43% preferred a program length under 1/2 hour. Fifty-two percent of visitor groups preferred a program time of 10am-noon, while 17% preferred a program time of 8am-10am.

Interpretive Sixty-eight percent of visitor groups were interested in attending interpretive programs on a future programs on a future visit. Of those visitor groups interested in learning about visit the park, the most common topics included Lincoln family (82%), pioneer skills (74%), and Lincoln’s education (70%).

Methods of learning Most visitor groups (95%) were interested in learning about the park through about the park on a living history demonstrations (72%), hands-on activities (64%), and indoor future visit exhibits (60%).

Items available for Sixty-one percent of visitor groups would like to have souvenir items purchase at visitor available for purchase at the visitor center bookstore on a future visit and center bookstore on 45% would like to have convenience items available for purchase. a future visit

Overall quality Most visitor groups (94%) rated the overall quality of facilities, services, and recreational opportunities at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM as “very good” or “good.” One percent of groups rated the overall quality as “very poor.”

For more information about the Visitor Services Project, please contact the Park Studies Unit at the University of Idaho at (208) 885-2585 or the following website http://www.psu.uidaho.edu.

vii Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Acknowledgements

We thank Marc Manni for compiling the report, Steve Illum, for overseeing the fieldwork, Kendell Thompson, and the staff and volunteers of Lincoln Boyhood NMEM for assisting with the survey, and David Vollmer and Matthew Strawn for data processing.

About the Authors

Marc Manni is the Research Team Supervisor for the Visitor Services Project at the University of Idaho. Steve Illum is Tourism Specialist and Professor at Missouri State University, Yen Le, Ph.D., is Director of the Visitor Services Project at the University of Idaho, and Steven Hollenhorst, Ph.D., was the Director of the Park Studies Unit, Department of Conservation Social Sciences, University of Idaho.

viii Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Introduction

This report describes the results of a visitor study at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial (NMEM) in Lincoln City, IN, conducted June 19-25, 2012 by the National Park Service (NPS) Visitor Services Project (VSP), part of the Park Studies Unit (PSU) at the University of Idaho.

As described in the National Park Service website for Lincoln Boyhood NMEM, “Abraham Lincoln and his family moved to Indiana in 1816 and stayed until 1830 when they moved to Illinois. During this period, Lincoln grew physically and intellectually into a man. The people he knew here and the things he experienced had a profound influence on his life. His sense of honesty, his belief in the importance of education and learning, his respect for hard work, his compassion for his fellow man, and his moral convictions about right and wrong were all born of this place and this time. The time he spent here helped shape the man that went on to lead the country. This site is our most direct tie with that time of his life. Lincoln Boyhood preserves the place where he learned to laugh with his father, cried over the death of his mother, read the books that opened his mind, and triumphed over the adversities of life on the frontier.” (www.nps.gov/libo, retrieved January 2013).

Organization of the Report

This report is organized into three sections.

Section 1: Methods This section discusses the procedures, limitations, and special conditions that may affect the study results.

Section 2: Results This section provides a summary for each question in the questionnaire and includes visitor comments to open-ended questions. The presentation of the results of this study does not follow the order of questions in the questionnaire.

Section 3: Appendices Appendix 1. The Questionnaire. A copy of the questionnaire distributed to visitor groups.

Appendix 2. Additional Analysis. A list of sample questions for cross-references and cross comparisons. Comparisons can be analyzed within a park or between parks. Results of additional analyses are not included in this report.

Appendix 3. Decision rules for Checking Non-response Bias. An explanation of how the non-response bias was determined.

1 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Presentation of the Results

Results are represented in the form of graphs (see Example 1), scatter plots, pie charts, tables, and text.

Key Example 1

1. The figure title describes the graph’s information.

2. Listed above the graph, the “N” shows the number of individuals or visitor groups responding to the question. If “N” is less than 30, “CAUTION!” is shown on the graph to indicate the results may be unreliable.

* appears when the total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding.

** appears when total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer choice.

3. Vertical information describes the response categories.

4. Horizontal information shows the number or proportion of responses in each category.

5. In most graphs, percentages provide additional information.

2 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Methods

Survey Design and Procedures

Sample size and sampling plan

All VSP questionnaires follow design principles outlined in Don A. Dillman’s book Mail and Internet Surveys: The Tailored Design Method (2007). Using this method, the sample size was calculated based on the park visitation statistics of previous years.

Brief interviews were conducted with a systematic, random sample of visitor groups that arrived at the main entrance during June 19-25, 2012. Visitors were surveyed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. During this survey, 401 visitor groups were contacted and 398 of these groups (99.3%) accepted questionnaires. (The average acceptance rate for 250 VSP visitor studies conducted from 1988 through 2011 is 91.5%.) Questionnaires were completed and returned by 254 respondents, resulting in a 63.8% response rate for this study. (The average response rate for the 250 VSP visitor studies is 72.3%.)

Questionnaire design

The Lincoln Boyhood NMEM questionnaire was developed at a workshop held with park staff to design and prioritize questions. Some of the questions were comparable with VSP studies conducted at other parks while others were customized for Lincoln Boyhood NMEM. Many questions ask respondents to choose answers from a list of responses, often with an open-ended option, while others are completely open-ended.

No pilot study was conducted to test the Lincoln Boyhood NMEM questionnaire. However, all questions followed Office Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines and/or were used in previous surveys; thus, the clarity and consistency of the survey instrument have been tested and supported.

3 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Survey procedure

Visitor groups were greeted, briefly introduced to the purpose of the study, and asked to participate. If visitors agreed, they were asked which member (at least 16 years old) had the next birthday. The individual with the next birthday was selected to complete the questionnaire for the group. An interview, lasting approximately two minutes, was conducted with that person to determine group size, group type, the age of the member completing the questionnaire, and how this visit to the park fit into their group’s travel plans. These individuals were asked their names, addresses, and telephone numbers or email addresses in order to mail them a reminder/thank-you postcard and follow-ups. Participants were asked to complete the survey after their visit, and return it using the Business Reply Mail envelope provided.

Two weeks following the survey, a reminder/thank-you postcard was mailed to all participants who provided a valid mailing address (see Table 1). Replacement questionnaires were mailed to participants who had not returned their questionnaires four weeks after the survey. Seven weeks after the survey, a second round of replacement questionnaires was mailed to participants who had not returned their questionnaires. Fourteen weeks after the survey, a third round of replacement questionnaires was mailed to participants who had not returned their questionnaires.

Table 1. Follow-up mailing distribution Mailing Date U.S. International Total Postcards July 10, 2012 388 1 389 1st replacement July 24, 2012 218 1 219 2nd replacement August 13, 2012 207 0 207 3rd replacement October 1, 2012 144 0 144

Data analysis

Visitor responses were entered twice and double-key validation was performed on numeric and short text responses. The remaining checkbox (bubble) variables were read by optical mark recognition (OMR) software. Responses to open-ended questions were categorized and summarized prior to data analysis.

Numeric data were processed and descriptive statistics were calculated using Statistical Analysis Software® (SAS).

4 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Limitations

As with all surveys, this study has limitations that should be considered when interpreting the results.

1. This was a self-administered survey. Respondents completed the questionnaire after their visit, which may have resulted in poor recall. Thus, it is not possible to know whether visitor responses reflected actual behavior.

2. The data reflect visitor use patterns at the selected sites during the study period of June 19-25, 2012. The results present a ‘snapshot in time’ and do not necessarily apply to visitors during other times of the year.

3. Caution is advised when interpreting any data with a sample size of less than 30, as the results may be unreliable. When the sample size is less than 30, the word “CAUTION!” is included in the graph, figure, table, or text.

4. Occasionally, there may be inconsistencies in the results. Inconsistencies arise from missing data or incorrect answers (due to misunderstood directions, carelessness, or poor recall of information). Therefore, refer to both the percentage and N (number of individuals or visitor groups) when interpreting the results.

Special conditions

The weather during the survey period ranged from cool and breezy to hot, with temperatures ranging from 57° F to 93° F.

No special events occurred in the area that would have affected the type and amount of visitation to the park.

5 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Checking non-response bias

Five variables were used to check non-response bias: participant age, group size, group type, park as destination, and participant travel distance to the park. Respondents and non-respondents were significantly different in terms of average age and distance from home to the park (see Tables 2 - 5). Other variables were not significantly different. The results indicate some biases occurred due to non- response. Visitors at younger age ranges (especially 45 years and younger), and visitors who live within a 100-mile radius of the park were underrepresented in the survey results. See Appendix 3 for more details on the non-response bias checking procedures.

Table 2. Comparison of respondents and non-respondents by average age and group size Variable Respondents Non-respondents p-value (t-test) Age (years) 51.33 (N=254) 42.31 (N=144) <0.001 Group size 3.97 (N=253) 3.80 (N=143) 0.532

Table 3. Comparison of respondents and non-respondents by group type Group type Respondents Non-respondents p-value (chi-square) Alone 19 (8%) 12 (8%) Family 196 (78%) 112 (78%) Friends 17 (7%) 13 (9%) Family and friends 17 (7%) 7 (5%) Other 4 (2%) 0 (0%) 0.474

Table 4. Comparison of respondents and non-respondents by primary destination Destination Respondents Non-respondents p-value (chi-square) Park as primary 143 (57%) 89 (62%) destination Park as one of several 97 (38%) 52 (36%) destinations Unplanned visit 13 (5%) 2 (2%) 0.261

Table 5. Comparison of respondents and non-respondents by distance from home to park Destination Respondents Non-respondents p-value (chi-square) Within 100 miles 72 (29%) 56 (40%) 101-200 miles 100 (40%) 60 (43%) 201-300 miles 25 (10%) 13 (9%) 301 miles or more 55 (22%) 12 (9%) International visitors 0 (0%) 1 (<1%) 0.008

6 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Results

Group and Visitor Characteristics

Visitor group size Question 24b N=253 visitor groups* On this visit, how many people were in your personal group, including 7 or more 11% yourself? 6 9% Results  42% of visitor groups consisted of two or three people (see Figure 1). 5 9% Group  32% were in groups of four or five. size 4 23%

 20% were in groups of six or more. 3 12%

2 30%

1 7%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 1. Visitor group size

Visitor group type Question 24a N=253 visitor groups* On this visit, which type of personal group (not guided tour/school/other Family 77% organized group) were you with?

Results Alone 8%  77% of visitor groups consisted of Group Family and family groups (see Figure 2). 7% type friends  “Other” group types (2%) were: Friends 7% Co-workers Woodmen of the World, Youth Lodge 640 Other 2%

0 50 100 150 200 Number of respondents

Figure 2. Visitor group type

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 7 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Visitors with organized groups Question 23a N=214 visitor groups On this visit, was your personal group with a commercial guided tour group? With Yes 0%

commercial Results guided tour  No visitor groups were with a group? No 100% commercial guided tour group (see Figure 3). 0 50 100 150 200 250 Number of respondents

Figure 3. Visitors with a commercial guided tour group

Question 23b N=214 visitor groups* On this visit, was your personal group with a school/educational group? With Yes <1%

school/ Results educational  Less than one percent of visitor groups group? No 100% were with a school/educational group (see Figure 4). 0 50 100 150 200 250 Number of respondents

Figure 4. Visitors with a school/educational group

Question 23c N=215 visitor groups On this visit, was your personal group with an “other” organized group (scouts, With Yes 2% work, church, etc.)? other

organized Results group? No 98%  2% of visitor groups were with an “other” organized group (see Figure 5). 0 50 100 150 200 250 Number of respondents

Figure 5. Visitors with an “other” organized group

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 8 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Question 23d N=7 visitor groups If you were with one of these organized groups, how many people, including 21 or more 57% yourself, were in this group? Number of 29% Results – Interpret with CAUTION! people 11-20 CAUTION!  Not enough visitor groups responded to this question to provide reliable 1-10 14% results (see Figure 6).

0 1 2 3 4 Number of respondents

Figure 6. Organized group size

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 9 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

United States visitors by state of residence Question 25b Table 6. United States visitors by state of residence For your personal group on this visit, what is your state Percent of of residence? U.S. Percent of visitors total visitors Note: Response was limited to Number of N=783 N=786 seven members from State visitors individuals* individuals each visitor group. Indiana 361 46 46 Kentucky 91 12 12 Results  U.S. visitors were from 30 Illinois 86 11 11 states and comprised Tennessee 32 4 4 99.6% of total visitation to Missouri 31 4 4 the park during the survey Ohio 29 4 4 period. Texas 20 3 3  46% of U.S. visitors came California 16 2 2 from Indiana (see Table 6 Wisconsin 12 2 2 and Figure 7). 21 other states 105 13 13

 12% came from Kentucky and 11% Illinois.

 Smaller proportions came from 27 other states.

Figure 7. United States visitors by state of residence

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 10 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Visitors from Indiana and adjacent states by county of residence Note: Response was limited to seven Table 7. Visitors from Indiana and adjacent states by county members from each visitor of residence group. Number of Results visitors N=574  Visitors from Indiana and adjacent states were from 96 County, State individuals Percent* counties and comprised 73% of Dubois, IN 46 8 the total U.S. visitation to the Vanderburgh, IN 31 5 park during the survey period. Spencer, IN 28 5  8% came from Dubois County, Warrick, IN 23 4 IN (see Table 7). Madison, IL 22 4

Daviess, KY 18 3  5% came from Vanderburgh County, IN and 5% came from Monroe, IN 18 3 Spencer County, IN. Allen, IN 15 3 Hendricks, IN 15 3  Small proportions of visitors Marion, IN 15 3 came from 93 other counties in Indiana and adjacent states. Perry, IN 14 2 Jefferson, KY 13 2 Bartholomew, IN 11 2 Hancock, IN 11 2 Decatur, IN 9 2 Hamilton, IL 9 2 80 other counties 276 48

Resident of the area Question 3a N=250 visitor groups Were all members of your personal group residents of the area within 60 Yes 22% miles of Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? Resident of the area? Results No 78%  22% of visitor groups were residents of the area (see Figure 8). 0 50 100 150 200 Number of respondents

Figure 8. Residents of the area within 60 miles of Lincoln Boyhood NMEM

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 11 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

International visitors by country of residence Question 25b Table 8. International visitors by country of residence – CAUTION! For your personal group on this visit, what is your Percent of country of residence? international Percent of Number visitors total visitors Note: Response was limited to of N=3 N=786 seven members from Country visitors individuals* individuals each visitor group. Chile 2 67 <1

United Kingdom 1 33 <1

Results – Interpret with CAUTION!  International visitors were from two countries and comprised less than 1% of total visitation to the park during the survey period (see Table 8).

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 12 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Number of visits to park in past 12 months Question 25c N=672 individuals For your personal group on this visit, how many times have you visited Lincoln 4 or more 4% Boyhood NMEM in the past 12 months (including this visit)? 3 3% Note: Response was limited to seven Number of members from each visitor group. visits 2 6% Results  87% of visitors visited the park once in 1 87% the past 12 months (see Figure 9).

 9% visited two or three times. 0 200 400 600

Number of respondents

Figure 9. Number of visits to park in past 12 months

Number of visits to park in lifetime Question 25d N=561 individuals For your personal group on this visit, how many times have you visited Lincoln 4 or more 14% Boyhood NMEM in your lifetime (including this visit)? 3 7% Note: Response was limited to seven Number of members from each visitor group. visits 2 14% Results  65% of visitors were visiting the park for 1 65% the first time (see Figure 10).

 21% visited two or three times. 0 100 200 300 400

Number of respondents

Figure 10. Number of visits to park in lifetime

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 13 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Visitor age Question 25a N=863 individuals* For your personal group on this visit, what 76 or older 2% is your current age? 71-75 5% Note: Response was limited to seven members from each visitor group. 66-70 6% 61-65 9% Results  Visitor ages ranged from 1 to 88 years. 56-60 5% 51-55 6%  36% of visitors were 31 to 60 years old (see Figure 11). 46-50 7% Age 41-45 6%  35% were 15 years or younger. group (years) 36-40 7%  22% were 61 years or older. 31-35 5% 26-30 3% 21-25 1% 16-20 4% 11-15 10% 10 or younger 25%

0 50 100 150 200 250 Number of respondents

Figure 11. Visitor age

Respondent level of education Question 26 N=237 respondents* For you only, what is the highest level of education you have completed? Graduate degree 28%

Results Bachelor's degree 31%  31% of respondents had a bachelor’s degree (see Figure 12). Education level Some college 26%

 28% had a graduate degree. High school diploma/GED 15%  26% had some college. Some high school <1%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 12. Respondent level of education

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 14 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Respondent household income Question 22a N=234 respondents For you only, which category best represents your annual household $200,000 or more 1% income? $150,000-$199,999 5% Results  20% of respondents reported a $100,000-$149,999 16% household income of $75,000-$99,999 (see Figure 13). $75,000-$99,999 20%

 17% had an income of $50,000- Income $50,000-$74,999 17% $74,999. level

12%  16% had an income of $100,000- $35,000-$49,999 $149,999. $25,000-$34,999 7%

Less than $24,999 9%

Do not wish to answer 13%

0 10 20 30 40 50 Number of respondents

Figure 13. Respondent household income

Respondent household size Question 22b N=207 respondents* How many people are in your household? 5 or more 15% Results  50% of respondents had one or two people in their household (see 4 20% Figure 14).

 34% had three or four people. Number of 3 14% people 2 40%

1 10%

0 30 60 90 Number of respondents

Figure 14. Number of people in respondent household

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 15 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Awareness of park management Question 2 N=250 visitor groups There are two Lincoln parks in Lincoln City: Yes 39% Lincoln Boyhood NMEM is a unit of National Aware of two Park System and Lincoln State Park is different managed by Indiana Department of Natural Lincoln parks? No 61% Resources. Prior to this visit, were you aware of two different Lincoln parks? 0 60 120 180

Number of respondents Results

 39% of visitor groups were aware of Figure 15. Visitor groups that were aware of Lincoln Boyhood NMEM and Lincoln Lincoln Boyhood NMEM and Lincoln State Park State Park (see Figure 15).

Awareness of other nationally significant sites Question 19a Results Prior to receiving this questionnaire, was  94% of visitor groups were aware of Lincoln anyone in your personal group aware of Memorial, Washington, DC (see Table 9). other nationally significant sites that commemorate the life and legacy of  76% were aware of Lincoln Home NHS, Abraham Lincoln? Springfield, IL.

“Other” nationally significant sites are show in Table 10.

Table 9. Visitor group awareness of other nationally significant sites Awareness of site Yes No Site N (%) (%)

Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Springfield, IL 224 76 24 Lincoln Tomb, Springfield, IL 216 69 31 Lincoln Birthplace National 216 64 36 Historical Park, Hodgenville, KY Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC 217 94 6 Other – CAUTION! 25 76 24

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 16 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Table 10. Other nationally significant sites visited or planned to visit – CAUTION! (N=25 sites; one visitor group listed more than one site)

Number of times Site mentioned

New Salem, IL 7 Ford Theater, Washington, DC 6 Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home, Knob Creek, KY 3 Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL 3 Lincoln Memorial University, Cumberland Gap, TN 1 Lincoln's Indiana Boyhood Home, Spencer County, IA 1 Mary Todd Lincoln House, Lexington, KY 1 President Lincoln's Cottage at the Soldiers' Home, 1 Washington, DC Ratcliff Inn, Carmi, IL 1 Rockport, IN 1

Visited or planned to visit other nationally significant sites Question 19b Results Has anyone in your personal group ever  Other nationally significant sites visitor visited these sites or do you have a plan to groups visited or planned to visit in the future visit in the future? are shown in Table 11.

Table 11. Other nationally significant sites visited or plan to visit** (N=number of visitor groups)

Not Plan to interested Visited in Visiting on visit in in visiting the past this trip the future Site N (%) (%) (%) (%)

Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Springfield, IL 195 16 42 7 43 Lincoln Tomb, Springfield, IL 185 19 38 5 44 Lincoln Birthplace National 180 24 30 13 37 Historical Park, Hodgenville, KY Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC 212 5 65 1 38 Other – CAUTION! 19 0 68 21 37

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 17 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Trip/Visit Characteristics and Preferences

Information sources prior to visit Question 1a N=249 visitor groups Prior to this visit, how did your personal group obtain information about Lincoln Yes 72% Boyhood NMEM? Obtained information? Results No 28%  72% of visitor groups obtained information about Lincoln Boyhood 0 60 120 180 NMEM prior to their visit (see Number of respondents Figure 16).

Figure 16. Visitor groups that obtained information  As shown in Figure 17, among those prior to visit visitor groups that obtained information

about Lincoln Boyhood NMEM prior to their visit, the most common sources N=180 visitor groups** used were: Previous visits 36% 36% Previous visits Friends/relatives/ 34% 34% Friends/relatives/word of mouth word of mouth 29% Maps/brochures 24% Park website (www.nps.gov/libo) Maps/brochures 29%

 Other websites (8%) used to obtain 24% information prior to visit were: Park website

Travel guides/ 13% Abraham Lincoln Trail website tour books dnr.in.gov State welcome center/ goodsamclub.com 11% google.com visitors bureau/chamber holidayworld.com Source of information Local businesses 9% in.gov nps.gov Cell phone apps for parkstamps.org travel/tourism or 9% santaclausin.com GPS device Other websites 8%  “Other” sources (8%) were:

Other units of the 8% History books National Park System (NPS) History classes Live in area Social media 2% Live in Santa Claus Married in chapel Other 8% National Parks Passport Book Resident of Indiana 0 20 40 60 80 Road signs Number of respondents School field trip Figure 17. Sources of information used by visitor groups prior to visit

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 18 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Information sources for future visit Question 1b N=166 visitor groups** If you were to visit Lincoln Boyhood Park website 55% NMEM in the future, how would your personal group prefer to obtain information about the park? Previous visits 36%

Results Maps/brochures 32%  As shown in Figure 18, visitor groups’ Travel guides/ most preferred sources of information 28% for a future visit were: tour books Friends/relatives/ 23% 55% Park website (www.nps.gov/libo) word of mouth 36% Previous visits State welcome center/ 22% 32% Maps/brochures visitors bureau/chamber 28% Travel guides/tour books Source of Cell phone apps for information travel/tourism or 17%  No “other” sources of information were GPS device

specified. Other units of the 14% National Park System (NPS)

Local businesses 11%

Social media 8%

Other websites 4%

Other 1%

0 20 40 60 80 100 Number of respondents

Figure 18. Sources of information to use for a future visit

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 19 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Park as destination Question from on-site interview N=397 visitor groups A two-minute interview was conducted 58% with each individual selected to complete Primary destination the questionnaire. During the interview, Park as One of several 38% the question was asked: “How did this visit destinations to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM fit into your destination Not a planned personal group’s travel plans?” 4% destination Results 0 50 100 150 200 250  58% of visitor groups said that the park was their primary destination (see Number of respondents

Figure 19). Figure 19. How visit to park fit into visitor groups’ travel plans  38% said the park was one of several destinations.

Primary destination Question 9b N=236 visitor groups What was your primary destination on this trip? Yes 30% Was park Results primary destination?  30% of visitor groups indicated that No 70% visiting Lincoln Boyhood NMEM was their primary destination (see Figure 20). 0 60 120 180

Number of respondents  126 visitor groups had other primary destinations (see Table 12). Figure 20. Lincoln Boyhood NMEM as primary destination

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 20 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Table 12. Other primary destinations (N=126 comments)

Number of times Destination mentioned Holiday World 36 Lincoln State Park 28 Santa Claus, IN 6 Evansville, IN 5 Louisville, KY 5 Owensboro, KY 3 Rockport, IN 2 St Louis, MO 2 Area antique shops 1 Barrington, IL 1 Boca Grande, FL 1 Buffalo Run 1 Dayton, OH 1 Effingham, IL 1 Elberfeld, IN 1 Farmingdale, NY 1 Ferdinand, IN 1 French Lick, IN 1 Great Smokey Mountains, TN 1 Hilton Head, SC 1 Holiday World 1 Holland, IN 1 Indianapolis, IN 1 Jasper, IN 1 Kentucky Horse Park 1 Lincoln Amphitheater 1 Lincoln Presidential Library and 1 Museum, Springfield, IL Lincoln sites 1 Maine 1 Mammoth Cave, KY 1 Millville, NJ 1 Nashville, TN 1 New Harmony, IN 1 Newtonville, IN 1 Ohio River Cabins, Derby, IN 1 Omaha, NE 1 Oneida, TN 1 Outdoor theater 1 Phoenix, AZ 1 Pigeon Forge, TN 1 Port Washington, WI 1 Quebec, Canada 1 Returning home 1 Richmond, VA 1 Shullsburg, WI 1 South Central IN 1 Valdosta, GA 1

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 21 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Importance of factors influencing decision to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM Question 19c Results How important were the following factors  Table 13 shows the importance of factors in your personal group’s decision to visit influencing visitor groups’ decisions to visit Lincoln Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? Boyhood NMEM.

Table 13. Importance ratings of factors influencing visitor groups’ decision to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEN (N=number of visitor groups)

Rating (%)* Not at all Slightly Moderately Very Extremely Factor N important important important important important A national park site 225 15 10 20 35 20 A Lincoln related site 231 5 7 15 37 35 A place to get off the 202 70 10 10 6 4 highway Something else to do 221 28 8 22 28 15 while we were in the area

Lincoln Boyhood NMEM as primary reason for visiting the area Question 3b N=181 visitor groups Was visiting Lincoln Boyhood NMEM the primary reason that nonresident Was park Yes 25% members of your personal group came primary reason to the area (within 60 miles)? for visiting area? No 75% Results  25% of visitor groups indicated that visiting Lincoln Boyhood NMEM was 0 50 100 150 the primary reason nonresident Number of respondents members visited the area (see Figure 21). Figure 21. Visiting Lincoln Boyhood NMEM was primary reason for visiting the area (within 60 miles) among nonresident visitor group members

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 22 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Alternative plans to visiting Lincoln Boyhood NMEM Question 6a N=248 respondents For you only, if you had been unable to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM on this trip, Yes, likely 81% would you have visited at another time? Visit at another

time? No, unlikely 19% Results  81% of respondents would have visited Lincoln Boyhood NMEM at another 0 50 100 150 200 time if they had been unable to visit the Number of respondents park on this trip (see Figure 22). Figure 22. Respondents who would have visited the park at another time

Question 6b N=47 respondents* If NO, what would you have done with the Not sure/ 55% time you spent on this trip? none of these Gone somewhere Results How time else 36% would have been spent Gone to work  55% of respondents were not sure or at my regular job 4% would have chosen other options if Vacationed they had been unable to visit the park 4% on this trip (see Figure 23). at home

0 10 20 30  36% would have gone somewhere Number of respondents else. Figure 23. Respondent choice of how to spend time

Question 6b N=3 respondents* What is the distance from home to 101 or more 33% alternate site? Number 33% CAUTION! Results – Interpret results with CAUTION! of miles 51-100  Not enough visitor groups responded to this question to provide reliable 1-50 33% results (see Figure 24). 0 1 Number of respondents

Figure 24. Distance of alternate site from home

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 23 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Difficulty locating the park Question 7a N=249 visitor groups On this visit, did your personal group have any trouble locating Lincoln Yes 1% Boyhood NMEM? Difficulty locating Results park? No 99%  1% of visitor groups had difficulty locating the park (see Figure 25). 0 50 100 150 200 250 Number of respondents

Figure 25. Visitor groups that had difficulty locating the park

Question 7b Results – Interpret with CAUTION! If YES, what was the difficulty?  3 visitor groups listed difficulties locating the park (Open-ended) (see Table 14).

Table 14. Difficulties locating the park (N=3 comments) – CAUTION!

Number of times Difficulty mentioned More road signs needed 1 No address to put in GPS 1 The new highway was not in my GPS 1

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 24 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Forms of transportation Question 9a N=224 visitor groups* For nonresident members in your personal Car 60% group, what was the method of transportation used to travel most of the 32% distance from home to the Lincoln Boyhood SUV/truck/van NMEM area (within 60 miles of the park)? Motorhome 4% Results Transportation  60% of visitor groups used a car to travel Airplane 1% most of the distance from their home to the park area (see Figure 26). Motorcycle 1%

 32% used a SUV/truck/van. Other <1%

 No “other” forms of transportation were 0 50 100 150 specified. Number of respondents

Figure 26. Forms of transportation used to travel most of the distance from home to the park area

Number of vehicles Question 8d N=234 visitor groups On this visit, how many vehicles did your personal group use to arrive at the 3 or more 2% memorial?

Results 2 10%  87% of non-resident visitor groups used Number of one vehicle to arrive at the memorial vehicles 1 87% (see Figure 27).

 10% used two vehicles. 0 1%

0 50 100 150 200 250 Number of respondents

Figure 27. Number of vehicles used to arrive at the memorial

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 25 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Number of park entries Question 24c N=233 visitor groups On this visit, how many times did your personal group enter Lincoln Boyhood 3 or more 3% NMEM during your stay in the area (within 60 miles of the park)? Number of 9% entries 2 Results  88% of visitor groups entered the park one time (see Figure 28). 1 88%

 9% entered twice. 0 50 100 150 200 250 Number of respondents

Figure 28. Number of park entries

Overnight stays Question 5a N=251 visitor groups On this trip, did anyone in your personal group stay overnight away from their Yes 59% permanent residence in the Lincoln Stay Boyhood NMEM area (within 60 miles of overnight? the park)? No 41%

Results 0 50 100 150  59% of visitor groups stayed overnight Number of respondents away from home in the area within 60 miles of the park (see Figure 29). Figure 29. Visitor groups that stayed overnight in

the area within 60 miles of the park

Question 5b N=146 visitor groups* If YES, how many nights were spent in the Lincoln Boyhood NMEM area (within 60 4 or more 21% miles of the park)?

Results 3 17%  48% of visitor groups stayed two or three Number nights in the area within 60 miles of the of nights park (see Figure 30). 2 31%

 32% stayed one night. 1 32%

0 10 20 30 40 50 Number of respondents

Figure 30. Number of nights spent in the area within 60 miles of the park

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 26 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Accommodations used outside the park Question 5c N=132 visitor groups** Where and in which type(s) of Lodge, hotel, motel, vacation 52% accommodations did your personal group rental, B&B, etc. spend the night(s) in the area? RV/trailer camping 26% Results  As shown in Figure 31, among those Tent camping in 14% visitor groups that stayed overnight in the developed campground

area outside the park, the most common Accommodation types of accommodations included: Residence of 10% friends or relatives 52% Lodge, hotel, motel, vacation rental, B&B etc. Seasonal residence 1% 26% RV/trailer camping

Other 8%  “Other” types (8%) of accommodations were: 0 20 40 60 80 Church camp Number of respondents

Methodist camp Figure 31. Accommodations used in the area within 60 miles of the park  Table 15 shows the locations of accommodations used in the area within 60 miles of the park. Because of too few respondents, locations with an N of less than 30 should be interpreted with CAUTION!

Table 15. Location of accommodations in the area within 60 miles of the park (N=number of visitor groups) – CAUTION!

Location (%)* Rockport/ Santa Claus/ Owensboro Dale Evansville Jasper Accommodation (N=15) (N=88) (N=19) (N=15) Lodge, hotel, motel, cabin, vacation 47 42 79 73 rental, B&B, etc. RV/trailer camping 13 34 4 6 Tent camping in a developed 13 18 0 0 campground Seasonal residence 7 0 0 0 Residence of friends or relatives 40 2 16 20 Other 13 9 0 0

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 27 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Length of stay in the park Question 8a N=221 visitor groups On this visit, how much time did your personal group spend visiting Lincoln 46 or more 49% Boyhood NMEM?

31-45 12% Results

Length of time at Visitor Center Number 16-30 22% of minutes  49% of visitor groups spent 46 or more minutes (see Figure 32). 1-15 8%

 34% spent 16 to 45 minutes. 0 9%

 The average length of stay at the Visitor Center was 48 minutes. 0 30 60 90 120 Number of respondents

Figure 32. Length of time spent at the Visitor Center

Length of time at the Living Historical Farm N=219 visitor groups*

61 or more 19%  54% of visitor groups spent 46 or more minutes (see Figure 33). 46-60 35%  33% spent two 16-45 minutes. 31-45 11%  The average length of stay at the Living Historical Farm was 58 minutes. Number of minutes 16-30 22%

1-15 5%

0 7%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 33. Length of time spent at the Living Historical Farm

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 28 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Total length of time at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM N=232 visitor groups*

 78% of visitor groups spent one or two 4 or more 6% hours (see Figure 34).

 21% spent up three or more hours. 3 15%

Average length of stay at the park Number 2 44% of hours  The average length of stay for all visitor groups was 1.8 hours. 1 34%

Less than 1 2%

0 30 60 90 120 Number of respondents

Figure 34. Total number of hours spent at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 29 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Question 8b N=250 visitor groups On this visit, did your personal group visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM on more than one Yes 6% day? Visit on more than one day? Results No 94%  6% of visitor groups visited the park on more than one day (see Figure 35). 0 50 100 150 200 250 Number of respondents

Figure 35. Visitor groups that visited Lincoln Boyhood NMEM on more than one day

Question 8c N=16 visitor groups* If YES, on how many days did you visit the park? 4 6%

Results – Interpret with CAUTION!  Not enough visitor groups responded 3 6% CAUTION! to the question to provide reliable Number results (see Figure 36). of days 2 81%

Average length of stay for visitors who visited on 1 6% more than one day

 The average length of stay for visitor 0 5 10 15 groups was 2.1 days. Number of respondents

Figure 36. Total number of days spent at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 30 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Local attractions visited Question 4 N=244 visitor groups Which other attractions in the local area did your personal group visit? Yes 74% Visit other attractions? Results No 26%  74% of visitor groups visited other local attractions on this visit (see Figure 37). 0 50 100 150 200 Number of respondents  As shown in Figure 38, the local attractions most commonly visited were: Figure 37. Visitor groups that visited other local 54% Lincoln State Park attractions

52% Holiday World/Splashin’ Safari

N=181 visitor groups**  “Other” local attractions (20%) are shown in Table 16. Lincoln State Park 54%

Holiday World/ Splashin' Safari 52%

Lincoln Pioneer Attraction Village 38%

Lincoln City Post Office 9%

Other 20%

0 25 50 75 100 Number of respondents

Figure 38. Local attractions visited

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 31 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Table 16. “Other” local attractions (N=44 comments; some visitor groups made more than one comment)

Number of times Attraction mentioned Santa Claus, IN 4 Amphitheater 2 Buffalo Run 2 Christmas store 2 Outdoor theater 2 Saint Meinrad Archabbey 2 Wineries 2 Antique Shop 1 Beach 1 Brown County points of interest 1 Candy castles 1 CLV Boating 1 Colonel William Jones State Historic Site 1 Corydon Capital 1 Dale, IN 1 Dubois County Museum 1 Evansville Otter Baseball 1 Ferdinand Monastery 1 French Lick Resort 1 French Lick, IN 1 General store 1 Holiday Foods 1 Huntingburg 1 Jasper, IN 1 Lake 1 Lake Patoka 1 Lincoln Cabin in New Harmony 1 Lincoln flatboat launch site 1 Lost River 1 Mammoth Cave 1 Pioneer tale 1 Restaurant 1 Spring Mill State Park 1 Squire Boone Caverns 1 The League Stadium 1

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 32 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Places visited in the park Question 12a N=248 visitor groups** Which places did your personal group visit Living Historical 80% at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM during this trip? Farm Memorial Visitor 78%  As shown in Figure 39, the most Center commonly visited places by visitor groups Cabin Site 75% at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM were: Memorial

80% Living Historical Farm Nancy Lincoln's 66% Grave Site 78% Memorial Visitor Center 75% Cabin Site Memorial Animals in the 56% pasture  The least visited place was: Exhibits shelter 39% Place 9% Picnic area (at visitor center) Trail of Twelve 36% Stones Lincoln Spring 33% Trail Lincoln Boyhood 29% Trail Boyhood Nature 28% Trail Picnic area 13% (at shelter) Picnic area 9% (at visitor center)

0 50 100 150 200 Number of respondents

Figure 39. Places visited at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM

Question 12b N=239 visitor groups On this trip, which area of Lincoln Boyhood Memorial Visitor NMEM did your personal group visit first? Center area 65% Area Living Historical Results 35%  65% of visitor groups visited the Memorial Farm area Visitor Center area first (see Figure 40). 0 60 120 180 Number of respondents

Figure 40. Place visited first at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 33 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Activities on this visit Question 10a N=234 visitor groups** On this visit, in which activities did your Visiting the Living 82% personal group participate within Lincoln Historical Farm Boyhood NMEM? Visiting the visitor center 77% Results  As shown in Figure 41, the most common Viewing exhibits 74% activities in which visitor groups participated on this visit were: Learning history 71%

82% Visiting the Living Historical Farm Walking/hiking 65% 77% Visiting the visitor center 74% Viewing exhibits Watching the film 58% 71% Learning history Attending pioneer Activity demonstrations at 48%  “Other” activities (16%) were: Living Historical Farm Shopping in Beach park bookstore 41% Biking Camping Nature study 20% Driving around Geocaching Picnicking 17% Golden Age Pass Attending ranger-led Gravesite talks/programs 9% Kids’ education Meeting with park superintendent Participating in Junior Ranger program 6% Nancy Hanks Lincoln Gravesite National Parks Passport Stamp Other 16% Outdoor drama about Lincoln Photography 0 50 100 150 200 Post office Number of respondents Running trails Saw gravesite and log cabin Figure 41. Activities on this visit To see my favorite president Visited chapel Visited graveyard

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 34 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Activity that was primary reason for visit Question 10c N=205 visitor groups* Which one of the above activities was the primary reason your personal group visited Learning history 32% Lincoln Boyhood NMEM on this visit? Visiting the Living Historical Farm 28% Results  As shown in Figure 42, the most Visiting the visitor center 11% common activities that were the primary reason for the visiting the park were: Walking/hiking 7%

32% Learning history 28% Visiting the Living Historical Farm Viewing exhibits 5% 11% Visiting the visitor center Picnicking 2%  “Other activities (10%) that were the primary reason for visiting the park were: Activity Watching the film 1%

Abe Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale Participating in Beach Junior Ranger program 1% Camping Attending pioneer Had spare time demonstrations at 1% Kids education Living Historical Farm Meeting Nature study <1% Meeting with park superintendent Motorcycling Shopping in 0% Nancy Hanks Lincoln Gravesite park bookstore National Park Passport Stamp Attending ranger-led Outdoor drama about Lincoln talks/programs 0% Outdoor theater Post Office Other 10% Running on trails Visit the grave from Lincoln vampire 0 20 40 60 80 movie Number of respondents

Figure 42. Activity that was primary reason for visiting the park

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 35 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Activities on future visits Question 10b N=188 visitor groups** If you were to visit the park in the future, Visiting the Living in which activities would your personal Historical Farm 76% group prefer to participate within the Attending pioneer park? demonstrations at 68% Living Historical Farm Results Visiting the 64%  As shown in Figure 43, the most visitor center common activities in which visitor groups would prefer to participate on Learning history 64% future visits included:

Walking/hiking 63% 76% Visiting the Living Historical Farm 68% Attending pioneer Viewing exhibits 62% demonstrations at Living Historical Farm Activity Watching the film 55% 64% Visiting the visitor center 64% Learning history Attending ranger-led talks/programs 43%  “Other” activities (5%) were: Picnicking 38% Beach Biking Shopping in park Gravesite bookstore 36% Learning about milk sickness Outdoor drama Nature study 29% Seeing Lincoln's home site Visit chapel Participating in Watching play of Lincoln's life in Junior Ranger program 17% amphitheater Other 5%

0 50 100 150 Number of respondents

Figure 43. Activities on future visits

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 36 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Ranger-led programs/talks Question 13a N=249 visitor groups On this visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM, did your personal group attend any ranger- Yes 4% led programs/talks? Attend programs/ Results talks? No 96%  4% of visitor groups participated in ranger-led programs/talks (see 0 50 100 150 200 250 Figure 44). Number of respondents

Figure 44. Visitor groups that attended ranger-led programs/talks

Question 13b N=10 visitor groups If YES, please rate the length of the ranger-led program/talk. Too short 10%

Program Results – Interpret with CAUTION! 90% length About right  Not enough visitor groups responded to this question to provide reliable results (see Figure 45). Too long 0% CAUTION!

0 5 10 Number of respondents

Figure 45. Visitor groups’ ratings of length of ranger- led programs/talks

Question 13c N=9 visitor groups If YES, please rate the topics discussed during the ranger-led program/talk. Of interest 100% Topics of Results – Interpret with CAUTION! interest? Not of interest 0% CAUTION!  Not enough visitor groups responded to this question to provide reliable results (see Figure 46). 0 5 10 Number of respondents

Figure 46. Visitor groups’ ratings of topics discussed during ranger-led programs/talks

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 37 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Question 13d N=10 visitor groups If YES, is there any aspect of the story that needs to be strengthened? Yes 10% CAUTION! Need to be strengthened? Results – Interpret with CAUTION! No 90%  Not enough visitor groups responded to this question to provide reliable results (see Figure 47). 0 5 10 Number of respondents

Figure 47. Visitor groups that indicated the story needed strengthening

Question 13e Results – Interpret with CAUTION! Please specify which aspect of the story  Not enough visitor groups responded to this needs strengthening. question to provide reliable results.

 Table 17 lists the aspects of the story that need strengthening.

Table 17. Aspects of the park story that need strengthening (N=2 comments) – CAUTION!

Number of times Aspect mentioned Manner of dress, schooling, ruling 1 More about the day to day life during this period 1

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 38 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Ratings of Services, Facilities, Attributes, Resources, and Elements

Visitor services and facilities used Question 15a N=218 visitor groups** Please indicate all the visitor services Parking 86% and facilities that your personal group used at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM during Visitor center 76% this visit. Restrooms 76% Results 62%  As shown in Figure 48, the most Museum exhibits common visitor services and facilities Park brochure/map 57% used by visitor groups included: Orientation film 56% 86% Parking 76% Visitor center (cleanliness, Trails 56% maintenance, etc.) Service/ Pioneer demonstrations 76% Restrooms facility at Living Historical Farm 54% 62% Museum exhibits Assistance from 54% visitor center staff  The least used service/facility was: Bookstore sales items 45%

6% Ranger or volunteer-led Picnic areas 17% programs Access for people 12% with disabilities

Trail guides 11%

Junior Ranger program 8%

Ranger or volunteer-led 6% programs

0 50 100 150 200 Number of respondents

Figure 48. Visitor services and facilities used

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 39 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Importance ratings of visitor services and facilities Question 15b N=number of visitor groups For only those services and facilities Restrooms 95%, N=159 that your personal group used, please rate their importance to your visit from 1-5. Park brochure/map 91%, N=123

1=Not at all important Visitor center 90%, N=161 2=Slightly important 3=Moderately important Orientation film 90%, N=118 4=Very important 5=Extremely important Museum exhibits 84%, N=133

Service/ Results Parking 83%, N=179 facility  Figure 49 shows the combined proportions of “extremely important” Trails 78%, N=119 and “very important” ratings of visitor Pioneer demonstrations services and facilities that were rated 77%, N=113 by 30 or more visitor groups. at Living Historical Farm

Picnic areas 77%, N=35  The visitor services and facilities receiving the highest combined Assistance from 70%, N=115 proportions of “extremely important” visitor center staff and “very important” ratings were: Bookstore sales items 46%, N=93 95% Restrooms 91% Park brochure/map 0 20 40 60 80 100 90% Visitor center (cleanliness, Proportion of respondents maintenance, etc.) 90% Orientation film Figure 49. Combined proportions of “extremely important” and “very important” ratings of visitor  Table 18 shows the importance services and facilities ratings of each service and facility.

 The services/facilities receiving the highest “not at all important” ratings that were rated by 30 or more visitor groups were:

2% Bookstore sales items (selection, price, etc.) 2% Trails

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 40 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Table 18. Importance ratings of visitor services and facilities (N=number of visitor groups)

Rating (%)* Not at all Slightly Moderately Very Extremely Service/facility N important important important important important Access for people with 25 0 12 12 24 52 disabilities – CAUTION! Assistance from visitor 115 1 7 22 37 33 center staff Bookstore sales items 93 2 12 40 33 13 (selection, price, etc.) Junior Ranger program 16 0 0 19 44 38 – CAUTION! Museum exhibits 113 0 2 14 39 45 Orientation film 118 1 0 8 37 53 Park brochure/map 123 0 1 8 28 63 Parking 179 0 3 15 20 63 Picnic areas 35 0 3 20 37 40 Pioneer demonstrations 113 1 4 19 30 47 at Living Historical Farm Ranger or volunteer-led 10 0 0 10 60 30 programs – CAUTION! Restrooms 159 1 3 3 25 70 Trail guides – CAUTION! 22 5 5 9 27 55 Trails 119 2 1 19 37 41 Visitor center (cleanliness, 161 1 1 7 22 68 maintenance, etc.)

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 41 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Quality ratings of visitor services and facilities Question 15c N=number of visitor groups For only those services and facilities Visitor center 98%, N=158 that your personal group used, please Assistance from visitor rate their quality from 1-5. 98%, N=112 center staff 1=Very poor Orientation film 94%, N=113 2=Poor 3=Average Parking 92%, N=178 4=Good 5=Very good Park brochure/map 92%, N=117

Service/ Results facility Trails 90%, N=115  Figure 50 shows the combined proportions of “very good” and Restrooms 88%, N=157 “good” ratings of visitor services and facilities that were rated by 30 or Museum exhibits 88%, N=127 more visitor groups. Pioneer demonstrations at Living Historical Farm 83%, N=108  The services and facilities receiving the highest combined proportions of Bookstore sales items 78%, N=92 “very good” and “good” ratings were: Picnic areas 76%, N=34 98% Visitor center (cleanliness, maintenance, etc.) 0 20 40 60 80 100 98% Assistance from visitor center Proportion of respondents

staff Figure 50. Combined proportions of “very good” and 94% Orientation film “good” ratings of visitor services and facilities 92% Parking 92% Park brochure/map

 Table 19 shows the quality ratings of each service and facility.

 The service/facility receiving the highest “very poor” rating that was rated by 30 or more visitor groups was:

3% Picnic areas

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 42 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Table 19. Quality ratings of visitor services and facilities (N=number of visitor groups)

Rating (%)* Service/facility N Very poor Poor Average Good Very good Access for people with 20 5 0 20 25 50 disabilities – CAUTION! Assistance from visitor 112 1 0 2 27 71 center staff Bookstore sales items 92 1 4 16 36 42 (selection, price, etc.) Junior Ranger program – 15 0 0 0 27 73 CAUTION! Museum exhibits 127 0 0 12 33 55 Orientation film 113 0 1 4 20 74 Park brochure/map 117 0 1 8 27 65 Parking 178 0 2 7 27 65 Picnic areas 34 3 3 18 32 44 Pioneer demonstrations 108 1 4 13 30 53 at Living Historical Farm Ranger or volunteer-led 8 0 0 25 0 75 programs – CAUTION! Restrooms 157 1 2 10 25 63 Trail guides – CAUTION! 21 0 5 14 33 48 Trails 115 0 0 10 30 60 Visitor center (cleanliness, 158 0 0 2 20 78 maintenance, etc.)

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 43 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Mean scores of importance and quality ratings of visitor services and facilities

 Figure 51 and Figure 52 show the mean scores of importance and quality ratings of visitor services and facilities that were rated by 30 or more visitor groups.

 All visitor services and facilities were rated above average.

Figure 51. Mean scores of importance and quality ratings of visitor services and facilities

Figure 52. Detail of Figure 51

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 44 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Interaction with park rangers Question 11a N=246 visitor groups During this visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM, did your personal group have Yes 45% any personal interaction with a park Have personal ranger other than on the tour? interaction with park ranger? No 55%

Results  45% of visitor groups had personal 0 50 100 150 interaction with a park ranger other Number of respondents than on the tour (see Figure 53).

Figure 53. Visitor groups that had personal interaction with a park ranger other than on the tour

Question 11b N=number of visitor groups) If YES, on a scale from 1 to 5, please rate the quality of your interaction with Courteousness 100%, N=113 the park ranger. Quality of Interaction information 99%, N=113 Results provided  Figure 54 shows the combined Helpfullness 97%, N=113 proportions of “very good” and “good” ratings of visitor groups’ 0 20 40 60 80 100 personal interaction with a park Proportion of respondents ranger. Figure 54. Visitor groups that had personal interaction  The interaction receiving the highest with a park ranger other than on the tour combined proportions of “very good” and “good” ratings was:

100% Courteousness

 Table 20 shows the quality of visitor groups’ interaction with a park ranger.

Table 20. Quality of personal interaction with a park ranger other than on the tour (N=number of visitor groups)

Rating (%)* Interaction N Very poor Poor Average Good Very good Helpfulness 113 0 0 3 20 77 Courteousness 113 0 0 1 12 88 Quality of information 113 0 0 1 22 77 provided

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 45 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Expenditures

Total expenditures inside and outside the park Question 20 N=229 visitor groups For your personal group, please estimate expenditures for the items $501 or more 18% listed below for this visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM and the surrounding $401-$500 3% area (within 60 miles of the park). $301-$400 7% Results  27% of visitor groups spent no Amount money (see Figure 55). spent $201-$300 10%

 24% spent $1-$100. $101-$200 11%

 21% spent $101-$300. $1-$100 24%

 21% spent $401 or more. Spent no money 27%

 The average visitor group expenditure was $268. 0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents  The median group expenditure (50% groups spent more and 50% of Figure 55. Total expenditures inside and outside the groups spent less) was $100. park

 The average total expenditure per person (per capita) was $81. N=229 visitor groups*

 As shown in Figure 56, the largest proportions of total expenditures inside and outside the park were:

29% Lodge, hotel, motel, cabin, B&B, etc. 21% Holiday World admission fees 13% Restaurants and bars

Figure 56. Proportions of total expenditures inside and outside the park

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 46 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Number of adults covered by expenditures Question 20c N=195 visitor groups How many adults (18 years or older) do these expenses cover? 5 or more 5%

Results  64% of visitor groups had two adults 4 9% covered by expenditures (see Figure 57). Number of  16% had three or four adults covered adults 3 7% by expenditures.

2 64%  15% had one adult covered by expenditures. 1 15%

0 50 100 150 Number of respondents

Figure 57. Number of adults covered by expenditures

Number of children covered by expenditures Question 20c N=189 visitor groups How many children (under 18 years) do these expenses cover? 3 or more 23%

Results  37% of visitor groups had no children 2 27% covered by expenditures (see Figure 58). Number of children  27% had two children covered by 1 13% expenditures.

0 37%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 58. Number of children covered by expenditures

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 47 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Expenditures inside the park Question 20a N=113 visitor groups Please list your personal group’s total expenditures inside Lincoln Boyhood $41 or more 6% NMEM.

Results $21-$40 12%  58% of visitor groups spent no Amount money (see Figure 59). spent $1-$20 24%  24% spent $1-$20.

 18% spent $21 or more. Spent no money 58%

 The average visitor group expenditure inside the park was $11. 0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents  The median group expenditure (50% of groups spent more and 50% of Figure 59. Total expenditures inside the park groups spent less) was $0.

 The average total expenditure per N=113 visitor groups person (per capita) was $9.

 As shown in Figure 60, the largest proportion of total expenditures inside the park was:

85% All other expenditures

Figure 60. Proportions of total expenditures inside the park

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 48 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Other admission and entertainment fees N=92 visitor groups

 77% of visitor groups spent no money $11 or more 2% on other admission and entertainment fees inside the park (see Figure 61). Amount 21% spent $1-$10  21% spent $1-$10.

Spent no money 77%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 61. Expenditures for other admission and entertainment fees inside the park

All other expenditures (souvenirs, books, N=110 visitor groups postcards, sporting goods, clothing, donations, etc.) $21 or more 16%

 63% of visitor groups spent no money on all other expenditures inside the $11-$20 7% Amount park (see Figure 62). spent $1-$10 14%  21% spent $1-$20.

Spent no money 63%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 62. Expenditures for all other expenditures inside the park

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 49 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Expenditures outside the park Question 20b N=212 visitor groups Please list your personal group’s total expenditures in the surrounding area $401 or more 23% outside the park (within 60 miles of the park). $301-$400 7%

Results  30% of visitor groups spent $301 or $201-$300 12% more (see Figure 63). Amount spent $101-$200 11%  30% spent no money.

 28% spent $1-$200. $1-$100 17%

 The average visitor group expenditure Spent no money 30% outside the park was $284.

 The median group expenditure (50% 0 20 40 60 80 of groups spent more and 50% of Number of respondents groups spent less) was $122.

Figure 63. Total expenditures outside the park  The average total expenditure per person (per capita) was $107. N=212 visitor groups*  As shown in Figure 64, the largest proportions of total expenditures outside the park were:

29% Lodge, hotel, motel, cabin, B&B, etc. 21% Holiday World admission fees 13% Restaurants and bars

Figure 64. Proportions of total expenditures outside the park

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 50 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Lodge, hotel, motel, cabin, B&B, etc. N=151 visitor groups*

 56% of visitor groups spent no money $301 or more 12% on lodging outside the park (see Figure 65). $201-$300 6%

 27% spent $1-$200. Amount spent $101-$200 14%  18% spent $201 or more.

$1-$100 13%

Spent no money 56%

0 30 60 90 Number of respondents

Figure 65. Expenditures for lodging outside the park

Lincoln State Park camping fee N=123 visitor groups*

 67% of visitor groups spent no money $61 or more 11% on camping fees at Lincoln State Park (see Figure 66). $41-$60 7%  18% spent $41 or more. Amount $21-$40 4%  14% spent $1-$40. spent

$1-$20 10%

Spent no money 67%

0 30 60 90 Number of respondents

Figure 66. Expenditures for camping fees at Lincoln State Park

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 51 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Other camping fees and charges N=107 visitor groups*

 75% of visitor groups spent no money $41 or more 12% on other camping fees and charges outside the park (see Figure 67). $21-$40 7% Amount  14% spent $1-$40. spent $1-$20 7%  12% spent $41 or more.

Spent no money 75%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 67. Expenditures for other camping fees and charges outside the park

Restaurants and bars N=161 visitor groups*

 41% of visitor groups spent no money $81 or more 17% on restaurants and bars outside the park (see Figure 68). $61-$80 9%

 24% spent $1-$40. $41-$60 10% Amount  19% spent $41-$80. spent $21-$40 14%  17% spent $81 or more.

$1-$20 10%

Spent no money 41%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 68. Expenditures for restaurants and bars outside the park

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 52 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Groceries and takeout food N=134 visitor groups*

 52% of visitor groups spent no money $61 or more 20% on groceries and takeout food outside the park (see Figure 69). $41-$60 7%  27% spent $41 or more. Amount $21-$40 9%  20% spent $1-$40. spent

$1-$20 11%

Spent no money 52%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 69. Expenditures for groceries and takeout food outside the park

Gas and oil (auto, RV, boat, etc.) N=158 visitor groups

 43% of visitor groups spent no money $81 or more 14% on gas and oil outside the park (see Figure 70). $61-$80 9%

 28% spent $21-$60. $41-$60 19%  23% spent $61 or more. Amount spent $21-$40 9%

$1-$20 6%

Spent no money 43%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 70. Expenditures for gas and oil outside the park

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 53 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Other transportation (rental cars, auto N=89 visitor groups repairs, but NOT airfare) $21 or more 3%  96% of visitor groups spent no money on other transportation outside the park Amount 1% (see Figure 71). spent $1-$20

Spent no money 96%

0 30 60 90 Number of respondents

Figure 71. Expenditures for other transportation outside the park

N=138 visitor groups* Holiday World admission fees $201 or more 12%  52% of visitor groups spent no money on Holiday World admission fees (see $101-$200 23% Figure 72). Amount spent  23% spent $101-$200. $1-$100 12%

Spent no money 52%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 72. Expenditures for Holiday World admission fees

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 54 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Other admission and entertainment fees N=102 visitor groups*

 71% of visitor groups spent no money on $41 or more 10% other admission and entertainment fees outside the park (see Figure 73). $21-$40 5%  20% spent $1-$40. Amount spent $1-$20 15%

Spent no money 71%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 73. Expenditures for other admission and entertainment fees outside the park

N=130 visitor groups All other expenditures (souvenirs, books, postcards, sporting goods, clothing, donations, $41 or more 18% etc.)

$21-$40 11%  53% of visitor groups spent no money on all other purchases outside the park (see Amount spent Figure 74). $1-$20 18%

 29% spent $1-$40. Spent no money 53%

0 20 40 60 80 Number of respondents

Figure 74. Expenditures for all other purchases outside the park

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 55 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Method of paying entrance fee Question 18 N=235 visitor groups On this visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM, how did your personal group pay the Cash/check 52% entrance fee? Interagency Pass/ 21% Results Senior Pass/Access  52% of visitor groups used cash or check to pay the entrance fee (see Were not aware Method that entrance fee 18% Figure 75). is required

 21% used an Interagency Pass/ We didn't go inside the visitor 7% Senior Pass/Access. center

 18% were not aware that an entrance We believed the 2% fee was required. fee was included

0 50 100 150 Number of respondents

Figure 75. Methods visitor groups used to pay entrance fee

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 56 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Income forgone to make this trip Question 22c N=240 respondents How much income did your household forgo to make this trip (due to taking Forgo Yes 32% unpaid time off from work)? any

income? Results – Interpret with CAUTION! No 68%  32% of respondents had forgone income to make this trip (see Figure 76). 0 60 120 180 Number of respondents  Not enough respondents responded to this question to provide reliable results Figure 76. Respondents that had forgone income to (see Figure 77). make this trip

N=22 respondents

$301 or more 50%

$201-$300 14% Amount CAUTION! $101-$200 18%

$1-$100 18%

0 5 10 15 Number of respondents

Figure 77. Income forgone to make this trip

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 57 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Preferences for Future Visits

Ranger-led programs on a future visit Question 14a N=248 visitor groups On a future visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM, would your personal group be Interested in Yes, likely 68% attending interested in attending ranger-led ranger-led programs? programs? No, unlikely 32%

Results 0 60 120 180  68% of visitor groups were interested Number of respondents in attending ranger-led programs on a

future visit to the park (see Figure 78. Visitor groups that were interested in Figure 78). participating in ranger-led programs on a future visit

Preferred length of ranger-led programs Question 14b N=164 visitor groups If YES, what length of program would you like to attend? 1-2 hours 5%

Results 1/2-1 hour 52%  52% of visitor groups preferred a Program program length of 1/2-1 hour (see length Figure 79). Under 1/2 hour 43%

 43% preferred a program length under 1/2 hour. Other 0%

0 25 50 75 100 Number of respondents

Figure 79. Preferred length of ranger-led programs

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 58 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Preferred time of day to attend ranger-led programs/talks Question 14c N=159 visitor groups What time of day would be most suitable for your personal group to attend a 2pm-4pm 11% ranger-led program/talk?

Results Noon-2pm 16%  52% of visitor groups preferred a Time program time of 10am-noon (see 10am-noon 52% Figure 80). of day

 17% preferred a program time of 8am-10am 17% 8am-10am.

 16% preferred a program time of Other 4% noon-2pm.

0 25 50 75 100

Number of respondents

Figure 80. Preferred time to attend ranger-led programs/talks

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 59 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Preferred topics to learn through interpretive programs on future visit Question 14d N=170 visitor groups If your personal group were to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM in the future, Yes 97% which topics would you like to learn Interested in about in interpretive programs? interpretive programs? No 3% Results  97% of visitor groups were interested 0 50 100 150 200 in attending interpretive programs on a future visit (see Figure 81). Number of respondents

 As shown in Figure 82, of those visitor Figure 81. Visitor groups that were interested in groups that were interested in learning attending interpretive programs on a future visit about the park, the most common topics were: N=164 visitor groups** 82% Lincoln family 74% Pioneer skills Lincoln family 82% 70% Lincoln’s education Pioneer skills 74%  “Other” topics (5%) were: Lincoln's education 70% Death practices during this time period Park history 49% Farming in Lincoln era Interpretive Land practices during this time Milk sickness 40% program period Thomas Lincoln Lincoln as president 35% Lincoln City history Cabinets Lincoln vampire killer Natural resources 27% Local history Other contemporaneous events in National Park 18% the US Service Other local people/trades The sites and activities we did not Other 5% experience on this visit 0 50 100 150 Number of respondents

Figure 82. Topics to learn on future visit

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 60 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Preferred methods to learn about the park Question 17 N=243 visitor groups If you were to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM in the future, how would your Yes 95% personal group prefer to learn about Interested in cultural and natural history/features of learning? Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? No 5%

Results 0 50 100 150 200 250  95% of visitor groups were interested Number of respondents in learning about the cultural and natural history/features of Lincoln Figure 83. Visitor groups that were interested in Boyhood NMEM on a future visit (see learning about the cultural and natural history/ Figure 83). features of Lincoln Boyhood NMEM on a future visit

 As shown in Figure 84, among those visitor groups that were interested in learning about the cultural and natural N=232 visitor groups** Living history history/features of Lincoln Boyhood 72% NMEM, the most common methods to demonstrations learn were: Hands-on activities 64%

72% Living history demonstrations Indoor exhibits 60% Self-guided tour with 64% Hands-on activities 54% 60% Indoor exhibits printed materials Outdoor exhibits 50%  “Other” methods (1%) were: Audiovisual programs 41% Larger museum Ranger-led programs 39% Scavenger hunt for kids Through special holiday events Park website 25% Method Special events 22%

Interactive computer 13% programs Cell phone tour 13%

Smart phone apps 12%

Other electronic media 6%

Social media 6%

Volunteer opportunities 3%

Other 1%

0 60 120 180 Number of respondents

Figure 84. Preferred methods for learning about the cultural and natural history/features of Lincoln Boyhood NMEM on a future visit

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 61 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Items available for purchase at the visitor center bookstore on a future visit Question 15d N=145 visitor groups** Which items would your personal group like to have available for purchase at the Souvenir items 61% visitor center bookstore on a future visit? Convenience Results items 45%  As shown in Figure 85, the item most Item visitor groups would like to have Additional available for purchase at the visitor publications 41% center bookstore on a future was:

61% Souvenir items Other 8%

 “Other” items (8%) were: 0 25 50 75 100 Abraham Lincoln quotes on souvenirs Number of respondents Arrows Better postcards Figure 85. Items for purchase at visitor center More historical DVDs or nonfiction bookstore on a future visit related DVDs Pioneer items for kids Postcards Postcards of sections of quotes from memorial granite Vinyl site sticker

 Table 21 shows the topics of additional publications available for purchase on a future visit.

Table 21. Topics of additional publications available for purchase on a future visit (N=25 comments; some visitor groups made more than one comment) – CAUTION!

Number of times Topic mentioned Biography of Lincoln 5 History 4 Lincoln's family 2 Pioneers 2 Christmas ornaments 1 Civil War 1 Cookbooks 1 Life of Lincoln as young adult 1 Lincoln biography by Dumas Malone 1 Lincoln's history 1 Pioneer diaries 1 Postcards 1 Postcards of Lincoln during his time in Indiana 1 Railroads in the area during period 1 Slavery 1 Young literature 1

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 62 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Overall Quality

Question 16 N=249 visitor groups* Overall, how would you rate the quality of the facilities, services, and recreational Very good 65% opportunities provided to your personal group at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM during this visit? Good 29%

Results Average 6%  94% of visitor groups rated the overall Rating quality of facilities, services, and recreational opportunities as “very good” Poor 0% or “good” (see Figure 86).

 1% of visitor groups rated the overall Very poor 1% quality as “very poor.”

0 60 120 180 Number of respondents

Figure 86. Overall quality rating of facilities, services, and recreational opportunities

______*total percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding **total percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could select more than one answer 63 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Visitor Comment Summaries

What visitors liked most Question 21a Results What did your personal group like most  78% of visitor groups (N=197) responded to this about your visit to Lincoln Boyhood question. NMEM? (Open-ended)  Table 22 shows a summary of visitor comments. The transcribed open-ended comments can be found in the Visitor Comments section.

Table 22. What visitors liked most (N=273 comments; some visitor groups made more than one comment)

Number of times Comment mentioned

PERSONNEL (3%) Friendly staff 3 Informative staff 3 Other comment 1

INTERPRETIVE SERVICES (41%) Living Historical Farm 69 Film 22 Exhibits 8 Junior Ranger program 4 Living Historical Film 3 Lincoln play 2 Other comments 4

FACILITIES/MAINTENANCE (19%) Visitor center 27 Trails 13 Cleanliness 6 Trail of Twelve Stones 6 Other comment 1

POLICY/MANAGEMENT (<1%) Comment 1

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (0%)

64 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Table 21. What visitors liked most (continued)

Number of times Comment mentioned

GENERAL (35%) Experiencing history 30 Everything 12 Cabin site 10 Gravesite 7 Being in nature 5 Beauty 4 Hiking 4 Animals 3 Camping 3 National Park Passport Stamp 3 Another facet of National Park System 2 Authenticity 2 Cemetery 2 Proximity to home 2 Other comments 11

65 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

What visitors liked least Question 21b Results What did your personal group like least  49% of visitor groups (N=124) responded to this about your visit to Lincoln Boyhood question. NMEM? (Open-ended)  Table 23 shows a summary of visitor comments. The transcribed open-ended comments can be found in the Visitor Comments section.

Table 23. What visitors liked least (N=133 comments; some visitor groups made more than one comment)

Number of times Comment mentioned

PERSONNEL (2%) Comments 3

INTERPRETIVE SERVICES (6%) Living Historical Farm 4 Film 2 Other comments 2

FACILITIES/MAINTENANCE (29%) Visitor center closed for cleaning 6 Restrooms 5 Lack of water 3 Uneven trails 3 Lack of garbage cans 2 Lack of parking for trailers 2 Spring Trail 2 Trails 2 Other comments 14

POLICY/MANAGEMENT (5%) Fees 5 Other comments 2

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (1%) Comment 1

GENERAL (56%) Nothing 28 Heat 22 Bugs 2 Not enough activities/things to do 2 Not enough time 2 Survey 2 Other comments 17

66 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Additional comments Question 27 Results Is there anything else your personal  40% of visitor groups (N=102) responded to this group would like to tell us about your question. visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? (Open-ended)  Table 24 shows a summary of visitor comments. The transcribed open-ended comments can be found in the Visitor Comments section.

Table 24. Additional comments (N=143 comments; some visitor groups made more than one comment.)

Number of times Comment mentioned

PERSONNEL (14%) Friendly staff 7 Great staff at Living Historical Farm 3 Courteous staff 2 Helpful staff 2 Need more staff at Living Historical Farm 2 Other comments 4

INTERPRETIVE SERVICES (10%) Junior Ranger program is great 2 Other comments 12

FACILITIES/MAINTENANCE (17%) Park was clean 7 Enjoyed trails 3 Enjoyed visitor center 3 Improve picnic areas 2 More handicap access needed 2 Other comments 7

POLICY/MANAGEMENT (10%) Advertise more 2 Other comments 12

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (0%)

GENERAL (50%) Enjoyed visit 33 Thank you 9 Enjoyed learning 6 Survey too long 2 Well done 2 Will return 2 Other comments 17

67 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Visitor Comments

This section contains visitor responses to open-ended questions.

Question 21a What did your personal group like most about your visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? (Open-ended) o All o All o All of it. Too hard to separate/distinguish. o All of us liked different things but it was a wonderful experience and we will definitely be back! o Animals and cemetery o Atmosphere, quiet, peaceful o Authentic history o Authenticity - informed ranger/docent o Beautiful, exterior monument o Beauty of area, history o Being in a place Lincoln spent part of his life o Being in nature to exercise o Cabin foundation memorial o Cabin site, farm house gravesite o Cabin site/remains o Camping o Chickens o Close to home - educational and enjoyable o Depictions in granite of periods in Lincoln's life and quotes above each at memorial o Did not like park, was there a decade before and it was very nice then o Didn't visit o Enjoyed all of it o Entire area from entrance to exit o Everything o Everything o Excellent visitors center o Exhibits o Exhibits in the visitor center o Exhibits/museum o Family town o Farm o Farm o Farm and museum o Farm and village o Farm, gift shop o Farm, movie, inside exhibits o Film and exhibits o Film in the visitor center o Film of Lincoln's life

68 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

o Film, living farm o Friendly people o Friendly staff, clean facilities, beautifully kept trails, etc. o Good for all ages, easy for one afternoon o Gravesite and farm o Gravesite, chickens, and smokehouse and volunteers cooking in the cabin o Hands on at the living farm site. Information from persons at the living farm. o Hiking o Hiking/trails o Historic farm area o Historic information o Historical artifacts o Historical farm o Historical farm, memorial o History o History o History of Lincoln o History of Lincoln and his family o History, farm o How nice everything was o Indiana's role in Lincoln boyhood experience o Indoor exhibits - it was a very (record setting) hot day o Information at visitor center o Intelligence and experience of employees o It is very clean and beautiful. We live in Huntingburg Indiana. We enjoy the beach and camping. We have viewed the farm before and have many times. Plan on seeing when it cools down. o Junior Ranger program o Junior Ranger program o Just interesting o Just standing on the earth that Lincoln occupied while living here! o Learning about his formative years and the video o Learning about Lincoln's life from 7-21. Cabin site was great, Twelve Stones very well done. o Learning more about Lincoln o Learning the important factors of Lincoln's childhood and how those shaped his adult life and presidency o Liked all o Liked it all very much o Liked the cabin o Lincoln information and the beautiful scenery and trails o Living farm o Living farm o Living farm o Living farm o Living farm o Living farm

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o Living farm o Living farm o Living farm o Living farm and movie o Living Historical Farm o Living Historical Farm o Living Historical Farm o Living Historical Farm o Living Historical Farm o Living Historical Farm o Living Historical Farm o Living Historical Farm and Junior Ranger program o Living Historical Farm animals o Living Historical Farm was a nice addition to our trip. Plan to come back to Santa Claus, IN for holiday world and visit state and national parks again to see memorial site, farm and trails o Living Historical Farm o Living Historical Farm/visitor center o Living history o Living museum/farm o Living pioneer site! o Love learning history and about historical figures o Memorial ranger on duty who was very friendly and informative o Movie documentary o Movie narrated by Leonard Nemoy o Movie, farm animals o Movie; reconstructed farm o Museum and living farm o Natural surroundings, being able to walk the same paths that he had walked at some point o Nature and cleanliness of the area o Nature trail hiking o Nice o Nice clean campground area! o Nice walking trails o Orientation movie o Outdoor presentation o Outdoor trails, farm, cabin, museum o Park surrounding it o Passport stamped o Picnics, trails, film at visitor center o Pictures and exhibits. My six year old was fascinated. o Pioneer demonstrations o Pretty area, film great, enjoyed the farm o Scenery o Seeing and being present where the Lincolns grew up o Souvenirs

70 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

o State Park Amphitheater o Sticker stamp o That it is close to home o That it represented another facet of the National Park Program o That this is a national historic site run by the Park Service o The cabin and the gravesite and the twelve stones o The exhibits and photos o The exhibits and short movie in the visitor center. Also the farm. o The farm o The farm o The farm o The farm o The farm o The farm o The farm and museum o The farm and people walking there. The movie. o The farm and talking with Louie and the Abraham Lincoln Pioneer Tales o The farm even though there were no demonstrations. The people who were dressed in the era of Lincoln were informative. o The farm, hiking trails, gravesite, stone carving on visitor center, learning more about Lincoln o The farm, learning historical events o The film o The hiking and the visitor center o The historical farm at cabin site o The history and the original sites o The history presented o The life of Lincoln and history of him and the United States o The limestone carving on the walls of the visitor center, the film, Living Historical Farm o The Lincoln play, the interpreters at farm o The living farm o The living farm and camping; we come every year o The living farm exhibit o The living farm to gravesites o The living history farm o The living history museum o The museum and film and the halls honoring Abraham Lincoln and Nancy Hanks o The musical play o The National Park passport stamp, enjoyed the lovely visitor center o The natural setting of the park o The nice, clean atmosphere o The paths to the areas, easy to travel and well taken care of o The price was reasonable and the kids liked the ranger program o The trails o The Twelve Stones o The Twelve Stones

71 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

o The U.S. flag, the animals and the importance of God's Word in Lincoln's upbringing, boyhood homesite o The video at the visitor center o The visitor center and film were much more impressive than the facilities at Hodgenville, KY o The visitor center, historical sites/farm and trail. For us it has always been a single visit. o Trail and visitor center o Trail of 12 Stones o Trail of 12 Stones o Trail of 12 Stones o Trail system o Trail to and Living Historical Farm o Trails o Trails/history/farm o Us and our children loved the farm. They really learned so much even though they are all so young! o Very clean/beautifully maintained/informative. Very happy we stopped by - did not know Lincoln's history in Indiana. o Very good representation of area life during Lincoln's stay in Indiana o Very pleasant atmosphere o Visit to chapel. Visit to cabin. o Visiting Nancy Hanks cemetery and site of boyhood home o Visitor center o Visitor center o Visitor center o Visitor center (film, display and ranger info and historic sites) o Visitor center and farm o Visitor center and farm o Visitor center displays and movie o Visitor center o Visitor center o Visitor center, Nancy Hanks Grave o We love Lincoln and Lincoln history. Like those who live here use the national and state parks several times a year. Always visit when company comes. o We were excited to plan a future trip to the farm but did not have the time while there. o Well kept

72 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Question 21b What did your personal group like least about your visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? (Open-ended) o $5 fee o Amount of walking in 100 degree temps with two small grandsons o Bathroom o Bathroom on trail o Bathrooms o Bookstore o Bugs o Bugs o Can't think of anything o Cost for visitor center o Could not find a trash can o Didn't have a lot of time to stay o Difficulty in parking RV o Difficulty pushing a stroller to the trail (nearer the flag pole) o Enjoyed all o Exhibits o Farm o Farm o Foundation of house o Half of the memorial visitor center was closed due to floors being cleaned o Have more thing to do o Having had to drive back through Dale to the motel - be nice if the park had a lodge o Having to do so much walking o Heat o Heat o Heat (mists perhaps needed) o Heat, lack of things kids wanted to buy like postcards (not enough variety of young Lincoln) o Hill o Hot, humid weather o Hours are so selective in offices o It was a hot day o It was all great o It was all great o It was hot - but you cannot help the weather o It was hot that day o It's confusing to have both the state and national parks together but with separate fees o Kids complaining legs are tired of walking o Lack of more t-shirts o Lack of parking for travel trailers, no water for dogs, garbage cans lacking o Lack of seating/rest area after walk to farm o Lack of water fountains in some areas it was very hot o Liked everything

73 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

o Lincoln Spring Trail o Little to do, there is more to do in Lincoln State Park o Living history re-enactors in cabin were not responsive and/or welcoming o Museum was closed for cleaning from opening until 1 pm. Did not get to see exhibits. o N/A o N/A o N/A o N/A o N/A, great visit o No bike paths o No place to purchase a drink o None to speak of. I am handicapped and had trouble walking o Not a thing o Not enough exhibits (farm) o Not enough info on Lincoln's family o Not handicapped accessible o Not many interactive hands-on exhibits o Not much help from rangers - no one spoke with us until we got to the cabin o Nothing o Nothing o Nothing o Nothing o Nothing o Nothing o Nothing o Nothing o Nothing o Nothing - we enjoyed the entire park o Nothing - would like to have more at the farm o Nothing was bad o Nothing, all great o Nothing. It was all great. o Picnic tables in the sun, not much parking available o Pioneer demonstrations had not started o Poison ivy o Polishing floor in the visitor center. Couldn't see exhibits. o Restrooms o Rough trail to farm - had a baby stroller o Small selection of restaurants close to the expressway o Spring trail had no spring. No bottled water available on hot day. No food available. o The beach and swimming area are not very big. I think $8.00 for a half hour on the paddle boats is a little too much. Maybe $5.00. o The dry, dry, dry, dry weather o The fact that the Lincoln part of the museum was being cleaned o The heat

74 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

o The heat, otherwise it was great o The heat kept the animals at the farm inside and hidden o The heat o The heat o The hot weather o The long walks to most things and the heat o The museum in the visitor center was closed due to floor cleaning, and reopened just as we needed to leave o The outdoor temperature was 93 degrees. We wished it could have been cooler inside the visitor center. Very stuffy. o The potties at the rest shelter on the hike to the farm o The price of the Lincoln show o The very hot and humid weather o The weather - it was very hot o The weather it was hot o They weren't really doing much at the farm site o Things that were not historically accurate - metal discs and plows o This survey o This survey o Time spent too short, needed breakfast o Trail of 12 Stones o Trail needs to be marked better o Trails was dusty o Trails, movie o Uneven trails and rocky and dusty o Very hot day o Very little going on in the living historical area o Video seemed amateurish o Visitor admittance fee o Visitor center o Visitor center was being cleaned while we were there o We liked it all o Walking the trails - both retired and it is hard to walk the distances o Walking to spring well was uneventful o Warm water in drinking fountains o We enjoyed it all. Nothing we did not like. o Weather was so hot - unable to enjoy the outdoor trails and form plan to return in fall - cooler water o Wished that you stayed open later than 5 pm o Workers at farms/home site not very familiar with tools/artifacts. One of our group had to explain use. o You need to have more signs making people aware they are supposed to pay a fee

75 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Question 27 Is there anything else your personal group would like to tell us about your visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? (Open-ended) o A shuttle service instead of only walking tours. We enjoyed it very much. o Abraham Lincoln a personal hero. Enjoy everything about him. o All topics at Lincoln Boyhood are interesting o Barn staff and well-kept setting o Beautiful visitor center o Better publicity on site about other Lincoln Kentucky and Illinois sites o Cool. Our country needs to know more about Lincoln's historic contributions o Enjoyed my meeting and my visit o Enjoyed our visit. Staff was very courteous and helpful - seem to love their jobs. o Entire park was super clean and very well-maintained o Exhibits in visitor center, great murals outside visitor center, fantastic o Fun o Great time for my two granddaughters o Great o Had a great day. Nice and clean. o Had a great time o Have guided tours that you may have to be driven around to see o Having more signs telling facts about life during the Lincoln years. How far they had to walk to school - how far was the closest store, etc. Signs by the wild fruit (blackberries, etc.) and what a special treat that would have been. Local wildlife, types of birds, etc. o House area needs shade. The demonstration from the man in the barn area was great. o I enjoy studying and learning about Lincoln and his life o I love NMEM. I grew up in the area and love the Lincoln history and the park’s beauty. o I was here on a school trip in 1951 - much better now o Individual did not finish survey - stated on page 12 that the "survey getting too long" o It is a very well maintained park with a great staff. o It is a wonderful place o It was a beautiful and interesting park. The movie was great, especially for kids who visualize in pictures instead of words. An unexpected treat to have people dressed in period clothing doing demonstrations and answering questions. o It was a beautiful place o It was great! I liked the park ranger who looked like a young Lincoln. He was sweet to pose for a picture with my little girls. o It was quiet and enjoyable and interesting o Keep the farm going - increase demonstrations at the farm area - we only had one costumed worker the day we were there o Liked it o Lincoln National Memorial and State Park are a treasure for the local residents. More people should visit and use the parks. o I was there for a planning meeting o Love the trail running with dog. Also cross over into running at State Park. o Love these types of sites! History is so important! Didn't go to the visitor center due to charge - just passing through.

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o Love this park, we hike/walk trails year round and also take our dogs for weekly walks at park o Make your survey easier to use; very difficult to understand o Member number three is into Lincoln; he continues to rave about this visit to Lincoln Boyhood Home o More people in farm area doing things and interacting. There was one person in house only. o My grandchildren and I had a great time o My second visit, I entered from I-64 which was well-marked. Three years ago on my first visit, we came from Evansville on a two lane highway from southwest, that route was not marked at all as to the correct route and entrances. It was very difficult to find the Boyhood Home facility and park. o Nice place o Not much to see in the buildings except empty furnished rooms - nice as they are - I thought I'd picnic in camping park. Saw there was a fee and left. Move your picnic tables to a shady area. o Not sure what Lincoln Pioneer Village is. We would recommend a short talk or video outlining all available activities - some sort of introduction of memorial and after our visit we are still confused about some aspects of the area. (Pioneer Village?) There are great exhibits and sites, but personnel not very organized. o NPS always does a first-rate job. Thanks. o On past visits, enjoyed interaction with volunteers in cabins and wood/farm area o Our grandchildren enjoyed reading the descriptions of each of the 12 Stones o Our visit was cut short because our granddaughter got too hot and with new braces on her teeth she had lost a spacer and wire came loose! Not a good day for her. Hope to visit possibly next summer, thank you! o Park rangers are a waste of my tax dollars. I took the kids there for educational purposes. But could not afford admission! It used to be free last time I was there. Like everything else the federal government gets involved and ruins it. I will not be back as long as it is a nationally run park, should be run by the state or private. o Quality of information from park ranger was outstanding. o Sorry, but hate to see our taxes used for these surveys o Special to me because my birthday is February 12 o Staff very helpful. We especially enjoyed staff on historical farm. o Surprised with quality of film and living farm. Well done! o Thank you for letting me participate in the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study. I come to the states every summer for 5 weeks or more and I travel all over the national park system getting stamps in my 4 passport books they are nearly all full, I have spent 25 years doing this and I think that all the national parks are good. Visitor centers are always clean and tidy. And plenty of info, and the rangers are always helpful and polite. I drove six thousand miles this summer and did a lot of parks setting off in LA. I did Mesa Verde, Arizona Petrified National Forest, Yucca House, Curecanti, Florissant Fossil Beds, Sand Creek National Historic Site, Kansas, (and many others...) I had to turn back here to go back to LA on highway 40. I'm sorry about the delay in sending it back but I've been too busy to fill it in. Thanks. o Thank you for this opportunity. Good luck. Appreciated dogs allowed but could not find a trashcan when pickup was needed. Would like to see more little known facts - after movie, fact sheet, or find it game. Loved the small working post office but saw it by accident - would like to see it promoted more. Loved the shoes to try on - maybe you need a hat or axe too. o Thank you! o Thank you. We really enjoyed our visit! o That it got us excited about the Lincoln vampire movie! o The courteous staff and park rangers. The national park system is extremely professional. Thank you. o The Junior Ranger program is great - it really gets kids involved

77 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

o The park was very clean and well organized with a lot of historic events. We enjoyed our time there very much! o The people at the farm were wonderful - knowledgeable and engaging. Excellent Junior Ranger program. Keep them both! Also well maintained and a nice amount of time - just right with kids. o The people who provided this questionnaire were very kind and pleasant and smiled. Thoughtful and courteous to us - both. They were very clear with their questions - we liked them. o The picnic area near the visitor center needs some improvements. The covered picnic area was too close to reading material. o The trails are very nice o This was just too extensive. I gave up. o Trails not suitable for people with disabilities. Visiting the living memorial. It would be nice to have better trails and more informative and friendly volunteer in cabin. Would have been good to see park ranger and living museum. o Trash cans are needed at picnic areas o Very educational and enjoyable for children o Very enjoyable o Very friendly. Excellent picnic grounds. Can't wait to visit again. o Very informative - glad we visited o Very much appreciated o Very nice, clean, well organized, and friendly. Lincoln would have been proud. o Very well done! o Visited to look at chapel for wedding. Prices have skyrocketed for this chapel in recent years. We don't like that. o Visitor center is very nice. Need one or two more interpreters at farm site. o We are local and we go there quite often to walk the trails for exercise. And that is what we were doing this visit. o We couldn't say enough nice things. The park was wonderful and the staff was great as well! o We did enjoy our time with you. Thank you very much - very interesting. o We did not participate, since we did not know there was a $5 fee. Price is okay, just did not have $ with us from camping. o We enjoyed it so much and will return next summer. Thank you so much. o We enjoyed it very much o We enjoyed our visit o We had a nice visit o We have lived in Indianapolis for a decade. The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial needs to be publicized more. It is a real jewel. o We kind of stumbled on it, hadn't planned to visit. We would have spent more time if we had it. o We look forward to visit Lincoln Boyhood Park and coming to see the musical at the amphitheater. We came four times when the musical Abe showing up in the Indiana. o We love American history, and I personally am especially fascinated by Lincoln. Thank you for making this place available! o We love this place. Came on a whim today as a day trip. Brought kids dozens of times - years ago. o We loved our visit o We loved the price for an educational experience that was fun for all ages. The hike was clear and everything was clean! o We only stayed a short time this trip, but last time we did all of the trails and outside exhibits o We will come back next summer

78 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

o We enjoyed the visit. The park was clean and the farm was very neat o Wish weather had not been so hot! (6-22-12) We would like to have spent more time at outdoor exhibits. o Would have spent more time at farm, very few animals and no activities. More activities at the Living Historical Farm. Demonstrations, more animals. o Would like to see more elderly and handicap - friendly access to living farm by utilizing near path from road o Would love to share photography and be notified of events! o Would visit other sites if not so far away. Would be nice if the store at the beach had some kind of sandwiches. o You need RV parking

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Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

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Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Appendix 1: The Questionnaire

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2 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study

Social Science Program National Park Service United States Department of the Interior U.S. Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Visitor Services Project Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial 2916 E. South Street PO Box 1816 IN REPLY REFER TO: Lincoln City, IN 47552

Lincoln Boyhood Summer 2012

National Memorial Dear Visitor: Visitor Study Thank you for participating in this study. Our goal is to learn about the expectations, opinions, and interests of visitors to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. This information will assist us in our efforts to better manage this park and to serve you.

This questionnaire is only being given to a select number of visitors, so your participation is very important. It should only take about 20 minutes to complete.

When your visit is over, please complete this questionnaire. Seal it in the postage-paid envelope provided and drop it in any U.S. mailbox.

If you have any questions, please contact Lena Le, NPS VSP Assistant Director, Park Studies Unit, College of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 441139, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-1139, phone: 208- 885-2585, email: [email protected].

We appreciate your help.

Sincerely,

Kendell Thompson Superintendent

OMB Control Number: 1024-0224 Current Expiration Date: 8-31-2012

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study 3 4 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study

Your Visit To Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

NOTE: In this questionnaire, your personal group is defined as you and anyone with whom you are visiting the park, such as a spouse, family, friends, etc. This does not include the larger group that you might be traveling with, such as a school, church, scout, or tour group. 1. a) Prior to this visit, how did your personal group obtain information about Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial (NMEM)? Please mark (•) all that apply in column (a). DIRECTIONS O Did not obtain information prior to visit ! Go to part (b) of this question At the end of your visit: b) If you were to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM in the future, how would your 1. Please have the selected individual (at least 16 years old) complete this personal group prefer to obtain information about the park? Please mark ( ) all questionnaire. that apply in column (b). •

a) This visit b) Future visit Source of information 2. Answer the questions carefully since each question is different. O O Cell phone apps for travel/tourism or GPS device 3. For questions that use circles (O), please mark your answer by filling in Friends/relatives/word of mouth the circle with black or blue ink. Please do not use pencil. O O O O Lincoln Boyhood NMEM website: www.nps.gov/libo

O O Other websites — which one(s)? ______4. Seal it in the postage-paid envelope provided. O O Local businesses (hotels, motels, restaurants, etc.) 5. Drop it in a U.S. mailbox. O O Maps/brochures Other units of the National Park System (NPS) O O O O Previous visits Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: The Paperwork Reduction Act requires us to tell you why we are collecting this information, how we will use O O Social media (such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.) it, and whether or not you have to respond. This information will be used by the National Park Service as authorized by 16 U.S.C. 1a-7. We will use this O O State welcome center/visitors bureau/chamber of information to evaluate visitor services managed by Lincoln Boyhood commerce National Memorial. Your response is voluntary. Your name and contact O O Travel guides/tour books (such as AAA, etc.) information have been requested for follow-up mailing purposes only. When analysis of the questionnaire is completed, all name and address files will be O n/a Other, this visit (Specify) ______destroyed and will in no way be connected with the results of this survey. A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to n/a O Other, future visit (Specify) ______respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. We estimate that it will take about 20 minutes to complete 2. There are two Lincoln parks in Lincoln City: Lincoln Boyhood NMEM is a unit of this. You may send comments concerning the burden estimates or any National Park System and Lincoln State Park is managed by Indiana Department of aspect of this information collection to: Lena Le, NPS Visitor Services Project, Natural Resources. Prior to this visit, were you aware of two different Lincoln parks? College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 441139, Moscow, ID, 83844-1139; email: [email protected] O Yes O No

3. a) Were all members of your personal group residents of the area within 60 miles of Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? O No O Yes ! Go to Question 4 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study 5 6 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study

b) Was visiting Lincoln Boyhood NMEM the primary reason that nonresident 6. a) For you only, if you had been unable to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM on this members of your personal group came to the area (within 60 miles)? trip, would you have visited at another time? O Yes O No O No, unlikely O Yes, likely ! Go to Question 7

4. Which other attractions in the local area did your personal group visit? Please b) If NO, what would you have done with the time you spent on this trip? Please mark ( ) all that apply. mark ( ) one. • • O None ! Go to Question 5 O Gone somewhere else ! Distance from home O Lincoln State Park O Holiday World/Splashin’ Safari – OR – Location O Lincoln Pioneer Village O Lincoln City Post Office (Place, city, & state) O Vacationed at home O Other (Please specify) Gone to work at my regular job 5. a) On this trip, did anyone in your personal group stay overnight away from their O permanent residence in the Lincoln Boyhood NMEM area (within 60 miles of Not sure/none of these the park)? O 7. a) On this visit, did your personal group have any trouble locating Lincoln Boyhood O Yes O No ! Go to Question 6 NMEM? b) If YES, how many nights were spent in the Lincoln Boyhood NMEM area ! (within 60 miles of the park). O Yes O No Go to Question 8

Number of nights b) If YES, what was the difficulty? Please be specific.

c) Where and in which type(s) of accommodations did your personal group spend the night(s) in the area? Please mark (•) all that apply for each location. 8. a) On this visit, how much time did your personal group spend visiting the Lincoln Location Boyhood NMEM? (Please list partial hours as ¼, ½, ¾.) If you did not spend Rockport/ Santa any time, please write “0.” Accommodation Owensboro Clause/Dale Evansville Jasper Number of hours at Visitor Center Lodge, hotel, motel, O O O O Number of hours at Living Historical Farm vacation rental, B&B, etc. RV/trailer camping Total number of hours at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM O O O O b) On this visit, did your personal group visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM on more Tent camping in O O O O developed campground than one day? Seasonal residence O O O O O Yes O No ! Go to part 8d

Residence of friends or c) If YES, on how many days did you visit the park? Number of days relatives O O O O d) On this visit, how many vehicles did your personal group use to arrive at the Other (Please specify) memorial? If you did not arrive by vehicle, please write “0.” O O O O Number of vehicles

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study 7 8 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study

9. a) For nonresident members in your personal group, what was the method of c) Which one of the above activities was the primary reason your personal group transportation used to travel most of the distance from home to the Lincoln Boyhood NMEM area (within 60 miles of the park)? Please mark (•) one. visited Lincoln Boyhood NMEM on this visit? O Car O Motorcycle O SUV/truck/van

O Motorhome O Airplane 11. a) During this visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM, did your personal group have any personal interaction with a park ranger other than on the tour? O Other (Please specify) O Yes O No ! Go to Question 12 b) What was your primary destination on this trip? b) If YES, on a scale from 1 to 5, please rate the quality of your interaction with Lincoln Boyhood NMEM - OR - Location the park ranger. Please mark ( ) one response for each item. O • (Place, city, & state) Very Very 10. a) On this visit, in which activities did your personal group participate within Lincoln poor Poor Average Good good Boyhood NMEM? Please mark ( ) all that apply in column (a). • Helpfulness b) If you were to visit the park in the future, in which activities would your personal O O O O O group prefer to participate within the park? Please mark ( ) all that apply in column (b). • Courteousness O O O O O a) This b) Future visit visit Activity Quality of information provided O O O O O

O O Attending pioneer demonstrations at Living Historical Farm 12. a) Which places did your personal group visit at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM during this trip? Please mark (•) all that apply. O O Attending ranger-led talks/programs O Exhibits shelter O Animals in the pasture O O Learning history O Lincoln Spring Trail O Boyhood Nature Trail O O Nature study (birdwatching, wildflower viewing, etc.) O Memorial Visitor Center O Cabin Site Memorial O O Participating in Junior Ranger program O Nancy Lincoln’s Grave Site O Lincoln Boyhood Trail O O Picnicking O Picnic area (at visitor center) O Living Historical Farm O O Shopping in park bookstore O Trail of Twelve Stones O Picnic area (at shelter) O O Viewing exhibits

O O Visiting the Living Historical Farm b) On this trip, which area of Lincoln Boyhood NMEM did your personal group visit first? Please mark (•) only one. O O Visiting the visitor center O Memorial Visitor Center area O Living Historical Farm area

O O Walking/hiking 13. a) On this visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM, did your personal group attend any ranger-led programs/talks? O O Watching the film O Yes O No ! Go to Question 14 O n/a Other – this visit (Specify)

n/a O Other – future visit (Specify) Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study 9 10 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study

If YES, please rate the following aspects of the program/talk. Please mark ( ) one for 15. a) Please mark (•) all the visitor services and facilities that your personal group each aspect. • used at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM during this visit. b) Program length O Too short O About right O Too long b) For only those services and facilities that your personal group used, please rate their to your visit from 1-5. c) Topics discussed on program O Of interest O Not of interest importance d) Is there any aspect of the story that needs to be strengthened? c) For only those services and facilities that your personal group used, please rate their quality from 1-5.

O No O Yes ! e) Please be specific. b) If used, c) If used, how important? what quality? 1=Not at all important 1=Very poor 14. a) On a future visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM, would your personal group be 2=Slightly important 2=Poor interested in attending ranger-led programs? Please mark ( ) one. 3=Moderately important 3=Average • a) Services/facilities used 4=Very important 4=Good O Yes, likely O No, unlikely ! Go to Question 15 Mark (•) 5=Extremely important 5=Very good b) If YES, what length of program would you like to attend? Please mark (•) one. O Access for people with disabilities O Under 1/2 hour O 1/2 - 1 hour O 1 - 2 hours O Assistance from visitor center staff Bookstore sales items O Other (from to ) O (selection, price, etc.) c) What time of day would be most suitable for your personal group to attend a ranger-led program/talk? Please mark (•) one. O Junior Ranger program O Between 8am and 10am O Between 10am and noon O Museum exhibits

O After noon to 2pm O Between 2pm to 4pm O Orientation film O Park brochure/map O Other (Please specify) O Parking d) If your personal group were to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM in the future, which topics would you like to learn about in interpretive programs? Please Picnic areas mark ( ) all that apply. O • O Pioneer demonstrations at ! O Not interested in interpretive programs Go to Question 15 Living Historical Farm Ranger or volunteer-led programs O Lincoln’s education O National Park Service O O Restrooms O Lincoln family O Natural resources O Trail guides O Milk sickness O Park history O Trails O Pioneer skills O Thomas Lincoln Cabinets O Visitor center (cleanliness, maintenance, etc.)

Other (Please specify) O

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study 11 12 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study

d) Which items would your personal group would like to have available for 18. On this visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM, how did your personal group pay the purchase at the visitor center bookstore on a future visit? Please mark ( ) all entrance fee? Please mark ( ) one. that apply. • • O Were not aware that entrance fee is required O Additional publications (books, brochures, etc.) O Were aware that entrance fee is required, but we didn’t go inside the List subject that you are interested in visitor center O Were aware that entrance fee is required, but believed the fee was O Souvenir items (tee shirts, etc.) included in the Lincoln State Park fee O Convenience items (disposable cameras, batteries, bottled water, etc.) O Cash/check

O Other (Please specify) O Interagency Pass/Senior Pass/Access

16. Overall, how would you rate the quality of the facilities, services, and recreational 19. a) Prior to receiving this questionnaire, was anyone in your personal group aware opportunities provided to your personal group at Lincoln Boyhood NMEM during of other nationally significant sites that commemorate the life and legacy of this visit? Please mark ( ) one. Abraham Lincoln? Please mark (•) Yes or No for each site. • b) Has anyone in your personal group ever visited these sites or do you have a Very poor Poor Average Good Very good plan to visit in the future? Please mark ( ) all that apply for each site. • O O O O O a) Aware of site? b) Visited or planned to visit? Not Visited Visiting Plan to interested in the on this visit in 17. If you were to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM in the future, how would your personal Yes No in visiting past trip the future group prefer to learn about cultural and natural history/features of Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? Please mark ( ) all that apply. Lincoln Home National • O O Historic Site, Springfield, IL O O O O O Not interested in learning about the park ! Go to Question 18 O O Lincoln Tomb, Springfield, IL O O O O O Audiovisual programs (DVD, video, or audio) O Cell phone tour Lincoln Birthplace O Indoor exhibits O Outdoor exhibits O O National Historical Park, O O O O Hodgenville, KY Interactive computer programs Ranger-led programs O O Lincoln Memorial, O O O O O O O Park website: www.nps.gov/libo O Smart phone apps Washington, DC Other (Please specify below) Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Special events O O O O O O O O Volunteer opportunities O c) How important were the following factors in your personal group’s decision to visit Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? Please mark ( ) one for each factor. O Hands-on activities with touchable subjects/artifacts • Not at all Slightly Moderately Very Extremely Factor important important important important important O Living history demonstrations/costumed interpretive programs A national park site O Other electronic media (downloadable digital files, podcasts, etc.) O O O O O A Lincoln related site O Self-guided tour with printed materials (brochures, books, maps, etc.) O O O O O A place to get off the highway O O O O O O Other (Please specify) Something else to do while O O O O O we were in the area Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study 13 14 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study

20. For your personal group, please estimate expenditures for the items listed below b) What did your personal group like least about your visit to Lincoln Boyhood for this visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM and the surrounding area (within 60 miles NMEM? of the park). Please write "0" if no money was spent in a particular category. a) Please list your personal group's total expenditures inside Lincoln Boyhood NMEM. 22. a) For you only, which category best represents your annual household income? b) Please list your personal group's total expenditures in the surrounding area outside Please mark (•) only one. the park (within 60 miles of the park). O Less than $24,999 O $50,000-$74,999 O $150,000-$199,999 NOTE: Surrounding area residents should only include expenditures that were just for this trip to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. O $25,000-$34,999 O $75,000-$99,999 O $200,000 or more EXPENDITURES a) Inside park b) Outside park O $35,000-$49,999 O $100,000-$149,999 O Do not wish to answer

Spent no money ( ) O ! Go to (b) O ! Go to (c) b) How many people are in your household? Number of people • Lodge, hotel, motel, cabin, B&B, etc. n/a $ c) How much income did your household forgo to make this trip (due to taking unpaid time off from work)? Mark (•) “None” or specify the amount forgone. Lincoln State Park camping fee n/a $ O None - OR - Amount forgone $ Other camping fees and charges n/a $ 23. On this visit, was your personal group part of the following types of organized Restaurants and bars n/a $ groups? Please mark (•) one for each. Groceries and takeout food n/a $ a) Commercial guided tour group O Yes O No Gas and oil (auto, RV, boat, etc.) n/a $ b) School/educational group O Yes O No

Other transportation expenses n/a $ c) Other (scouts, work, church, etc.) O Yes O No (rental cars, auto repairs, but NOT airfare) d) If you were with one of these organized groups, how many people, including Holiday World admission fees n/a $ yourself, were in this group? Other admission, entertainment fees $ $ Number of people in organized group

All other expenditures (souvenirs, books, $ $ 24. a) On this visit, which type of personal group (not guided tour/school/other postcards, sporting goods, clothing, donations, etc.) organized group) were you with? Please mark ( ) only one. • c) How many people do the above expenses cover? O Alone O Friends Adults (18 years or over) Children (under 18 years) O Family O Family and friends Please write “0” if no children were covered by the expenditures. O Other (Please specify) 21. a) What did your personal group like most about your visit to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? b) On this visit, how many people were in your personal group, including yourself? Number of people in personal group

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Study 15

c) On this visit, how many times did your personal group enter Lincoln Boyhood IN THE IF MAILED

NMEM during your stay in the area (within 60 miles of the park)? NECESSARY NO POSTAGE UNITED STATES Number of entries

25. For your personal group on this visit, please provide the following. (If you do not know the answer, please leave it blank). c) & d) Number of visits to Lincoln Boyhood NMEM b) U.S. ZIP code (including this visit) a) Current or name of country c) Past 12 d) age other than U.S. months Lifetime

Yourself

Member #2

Member #3

Member #4 MOSCOW ID

Member #5

Member #6

Member #7

26. For you only, what is the highest level of education you have completed? Please PERMIT NO. 163 mark (•) one. O Some high school O Bachelor’s degree

O High school diploma/GED O Graduate degree O Some college

27. Is there anything else your personal group would like to tell us about your visit to POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY FIRST-CLASS MAIL BUSINESS REPLY MAIL Lincoln Boyhood NMEM? PROJECT SERVICES VISITOR STUDIES UNIT PARK RESOURCES COLLEGE OF NATURAL OF IDAHO UNIVERSITY 875 PERIMETER DRIVE MOSCOW ID 83843-9960

Thank you for your help! Please seal the questionnaire in the postage-paid envelope provided and drop it in any U.S. mailbox. Printed on recycled paper

Box 1139 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Appendix 2: Additional Analysis

The Visitor Services Project (VSP) offers the opportunity to learn from VSP visitor study data through additional analysis. Two-way and three-way cross tabulations can be made with any questions.

Below are some examples of the types of cross tabulations that can be requested. To make a request, please use the contact information below, and include your name, address and phone number in the request.

1. What proportion of family groups with children attend interpretive programs?

2. Is there a correlation between visitors’ ages and their preferred sources of information about the park?

3. Are highly satisfied visitors more likely to return for a future visit?

4. How many international visitors participate in hiking?

5. What ages of visitors would use the park website as a source of information on a future visit?

6. Is there a correlation between visitor groups’ rating of the overall quality of their park experience and their ratings of individual services and facilities?

7. Do larger visitor groups (e.g., four or more) participate in different activities than smaller groups?

8. Do frequent visitors rate the overall quality of their park experiences differently than less frequent visitors?

The VSP database website (http://vsp.uidaho.edu) allows data searches for comparisons of data from one or more parks.

For more information please contact:

Visitor Services Project Park Studies Unit College of Natural Resources University of Idaho 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1139 Moscow, ID 83844-1139

Phone: 208-885-2585 Fax: 208-885-4261 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.psu.uidaho.edu

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Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

Appendix 3: Decision Rules for Checking Non-response Bias

There are several methods for checking non-response bias. However, the most common way is to use some demographic indicators to compare between respondents and non-respondents (Dey 1997; Salant and Dillman 1994; Dillman and Carley-Baxter 2000; Dillman, 2007; Stoop 2004). In this study, we used five variable group type, group size, age of the group member (at least 16 years old) completing the survey, whether the park was the primary destination for the visit, and visitor’s place of residence proximity to the park to check for non-response bias.

Chi-square tests were used to detect the difference in the response rates among different group types, whether the park was the primary destination for this visit, and visitor’s place of residence and proximity to the park. The hypothesis was that there is no significant difference across different categories (or groups) between respondents and non-respondents. If the p-value is greater than 0.05, the difference between respondents and non-respondents is judged to be insignificant.

Two independent-sample T-tests were used to test the differences between respondent’s and non- respondent’s average age and group size. The p-values represent the significance levels of these tests. If the p-value is greater than 0.05, the two groups are judged to be insignificantly different.

Therefore, the hypotheses for checking non-response bias are:

1. Respondents from different group types are equally represented

2. Respondents and non-respondents are not significantly different in terms of proximity from their home to the park

3. Respondents and non-respondents are not significantly different in terms of reason for visiting the park

4. Average age of respondents – average age of non-respondents = 0

5. Average group size of respondents – average group size of non-respondents = 0

As shown in Tables 2 to 5, the p-values for respondent/non-respondent comparisons for age and distance from home to the park are less than 0.05, indicating significant differences between respondents and non-respondents. The results indicate some biases occurred due to non- response. Visitors at younger age ranges (especially 45 and younger) and visitors traveling with friends were underrepresented in the survey results. The differences, however, were not found in other variables. Results of the study in this report only reflect the simple frequencies. Inferences of the survey results should be weighted to counterbalance the effects of nonresponse bias.

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Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial – VSP Visitor Study 252 June 19-25, 2012

References

Dey, E. L. (1997). Working with Low Survey Response Rates: The Efficacy of Weighting Adjustment. Research in Higher Education, 38(2): 215-227. Dillman, D. A. (2007). Mail and Internet Surveys: The Tailored Design Method, Updated version with New Internet, Visual, and Mixed-Mode Guide, 2nd Edition, New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Dillman, D. A. and Carley-Baxter, L. R. (2000). Structural determinants of survey response rate over a 12-year period, 1988-1999, Proceedings of the section on survey research methods, 394-399, American Statistical Association, Washington, DC. Filion, F. L. (Winter 1975-Winter 1976). Estimating Bias due to Non-response in Mail Surveys. Public Opinion Quarterly, Vol 39 (4): 482-492. Goudy, W. J. (1976). Non-response Effect on Relationships Between Variables. Public Opinion Quarterly. Vol 40 (3): 360-369. Mayer, C. S. and Pratt Jr. R. W. (Winter 1966-Winter 1967). A Note on Non-response in a Mail Survey. Public Opinion Quarterly. Vol 30 (4): 637-646. Salant, P. and Dillman, D. A. (1994). How to Conduct Your Own Survey. U.S.: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Stoop, I. A. L. (2004). Surveying Non-respondents. Field Methods, 16 (1): 23.

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